Innovation

Leopardo innovates in all that we do – project management, estimating, construction processes, safety, technology, marketing and more. In fact, Building Design+Construction magazine called us a progressive thinker and told its 75,000 readers to "take a page from Leopardo."

We’ve helped lead the green movement through our active involvement in USGBC and LEED construction. More than 10 percent of our professional office staff are LEED Accredited Professionals and we have experience at every level of LEED certification, including Silver, Gold and Platinum. We also served as a primary consultant for the only collegiate-level green building program in the United States at the time and were handpicked by the City of Chicago and USGBC Chicago Chapter to serve as general contractor on the 2007 Legacy Project. Furthermore, our own general superintendent is vice chair of the USGBC’s Chicago Chapter. He’ll have the honor of serving as chair in 2010 when the Greenbuild International Expo returns to Chicago.

Click here for more information on Leopardo’s green building expertise.

Beyond sustainability, Leopardo is among the first builders in the Midwest to utilize the innovative DBO2 systematic approach to project safety. Through handheld computer devices, the DBO2 system simplifies the collection, analysis and dissemination of job site safety information, enabling Leopardo to take preventative actions before at-risk behaviors or conditions become incidents. The results are reduced risks, fewer incidents, increased communication and competency, and continuous improvement. It also lowers insurance, administrative and healthcare costs, which ultimately means the most cost-efficient project for our clients.

Click here for more information on Leopardo safety.

Our proprietary PreViz, or pre-visualization, experience also sets us apart. The three-pronged PreViz system uses (1) state-of-the-art software technology to conceptually design and visually modify buildings before your eyes -- in real time -- while (2) simultaneously factoring in critical scheduling milestones and (3) live-cost estimates. What normally took two to four weeks with architect and builder meetings, can now be done in the Leopardo offices – or the client’s – within a couple hours. In just one meeting, all parties involved can look at, discuss, edit and ultimately decide upon a number of key design elements and building systems based on informed cost and functionality concerns.

Click here for more information on Leopardo’s PreViz.

Community

We realize the success of our company is not only measured by financial numbers, but is also dependent upon the communities in which we live and work. Therefore, we make a concerted effort to give back to the community via multiple endeavors, including:

• TQM Community Service Committee – Through our internal total quality management initiative to achieve continuous improvement, employees a community service committee encourages and enables employees to donate time and energy to numerous community support projects throughout the year.
• Leopardo Charitable Foundation – Aiding hundreds of deserving charities that promote health, education, technology and local citizens. Charities we’ve supported include City of Hope, March of Dimes, Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, etc.
• Liquidated Damages – Our own company band was established for playing fundraisers and supporting the community. Since 2001, the band has raised $325,000 for pediatric cancer research.
• Sustainable Building and Working – Through green building, recycling and energy programs, we’re being a good citizen of planet Earth and our local communities. We don’t just build green, we also work green with several internal energy saving and environmentally-friendly processes.
• Community Revitalization Projects – Through major renovation and restoration projects that stimulate economic development, we give back to the community. One recent project example that serves as a great source of pride is our work in the strategic repositioning of the landmark Carson Pirie Scott building. We helped turn the building into the Sullivan Center, a modern, multi-tenant, mixed-use property for retail, commercial and educational tenants. In addition to employing a large local workforce and retaining many different local subcontractors for nearly two years, Leopardo and this project have revitalized part of the Chicago Loop while maintaining its tie to the past. The new space, which is attracting new businesses and revenues to the City, is also adding to Chicago’s cultural environment with the Fashion School and Display Gallery for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.