A group of Virginia Tech researchers is tackling the construction industry’s biggest challenges with a significant funding boost. The Coalition for Smart Construction has announced the recipients of its first seed grants, totaling $280,000, to accelerate innovation and collaboration in the built environment.
Created to leverage Virginia Tech’s transdisciplinary strengths and collaborative culture, the coalition connects faculty with industry and government to design innovative, practical solutions to complex construction challenges.
The seed grants are administratively housed within the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS), supported by the Hitt Family Foundation and the Office of Strategic Research Alliances.
A Collaborative Push Toward Construction Innovation
The coalition awarded five initial projects, each receiving between $30,000 and $75,000, to help modernize construction methods and lay the groundwork for larger-scale future investments.
“This opportunity is about researchers and industry members working together to take the construction industry to the next level,” said Brett Hitt, co-chairman of HITT Contracting. “With faculty and industry input, we identified specific growth areas where we want to see progress. Our hope is that this funding will jump-start projects that address concerns in these areas, leading us into the future of construction.”
The projects align with the coalition’s focus on five key growth areas:
- Advanced materials and manufacturing
- Construction operations
- Energy
- Sustainability
- Digital and human interfaces
Funded Projects and Research Teams
1. 3D Printed Concrete Enabled by Real-Time Tracking of Print Quality and Properties
Themes: Construction operations; digital and human interfaces
Goal: Develop AI-based systems to track concrete quality and monitor setting times through surface waves, meeting industry demands for real-time print quality and material strength assessment.
Research Team:
- Alexander Brand, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- T.A. Kamakshi, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Zhenyu “James” Kong, Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Andrew McCoy, School of Construction
- Nathan King, School of Architecture
- Q. Tran, Michigan Tech
- Michael White, CEO, Crain Company 3D
2. Blocked: Affordable Customizable Modular Housing via Computational Design and Digital Fabrication
Themes: Construction operations; advanced materials and manufacturing
Goal: Develop a customizable modular construction system using oriented strand board (OSB) and CNC milling for efficient, affordable housing solutions.
Research Team:
- Ramtin Haghnazar, School of Architecture
- Mehdi Setareh, School of Architecture
- Ali Shojaei, School of Construction
- Vahid Nasir, Oregon State University
- Babak Vakilzadeh, Ziggurat Bold Designers
3. Setting the Stage for the Coalition for Smart Construction Mass Timber and Construction Hub for Innovation Lab
Themes: Advanced materials and manufacturing; sustainability
Goal: Establish a mass timber prototyping facility to improve efficiency, sustainability, and workforce training in construction.
Research Team:
- Daniel Hindman, Sustainable Biomaterials
- Brian Bond, Sustainable Biomaterials
- Adam Phillips, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Edward Becker, School of Architecture
4. Automated Modular Sub-Assembly for Affordable Housing using Precision Interlocking Oriented Strand Board and Engineered Wood Panels
Themes: Construction operations; advanced materials and manufacturing
Goal: Create a digitally fabricated, automated construction system optimizing industrial processes and human labor.
Research Team:
- Adam Phillips, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Hongrui Yu, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Tripp Shealy, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Daniel Hindman, Sustainable Biomaterials
- Max Ofsa, 3D Design Studio, University Libraries
5. Transforming Precast Concrete Construction through a Cradle-to-Cradle Approach
Themes: Sustainability; construction operations; digital and human interfaces
Goal: Develop a cradle-to-cradle framework for precast concrete to reduce construction and demolition waste.
Research Team:
- Tanyel Bulbul, School of Construction
- Jim Jones, School of Architecture
- Sean McGinnis, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Metromont, Winchester, VA
- Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Mid-Atlantic, Chicago, IL
Building Toward a Smarter Future
The projects, selected in January 2025, are already underway. Findings will be showcased at a research symposium, designed to foster collaboration and inspire new large-scale proposals.
“Seed money like this allows us to pursue ideas of tremendous potential and lay the groundwork for much larger proposals down the road,” said Jon Porter, Virginia Tech’s Associate Vice President for Strategic Resources. “We take pride in our faculty’s eagerness to collaborate across disciplines and with industry to solve critical challenges in construction.”
Expanding the Coalition for Smart Construction
Launched in 2023 through a growing partnership with HITT Contracting, the Coalition for Smart Construction aims to become a national leader in innovation for the built environment.
A new 40,000-square-foot facility will serve as the coalition’s physical hub, located in Falls Church, Virginia, on the ground floor of HITT Contracting’s forthcoming headquarters. Groundbreaking took place in February 2025, with the building set to open in 2027.
This initiative symbolizes Virginia Tech’s commitment to advancing sustainable, technology-driven construction and fostering industry collaboration for the next generation of building solutions.
