As the construction industry looks for innovation through advanced materials like cross-laminated timber and 3D-printed metal, Virginia Tech believes the most important resource for future development lies in collaboration.

This fall, a diverse group of stakeholders from academia, industry, and government gathered in Northern Virginia for a series of roundtable discussions aimed at tackling the challenges in the construction sector. These discussions form the foundation for Virginia Tech's Coalition for Smart Construction, a collaboration set to address some of the construction industry's most pressing issues.

Julie Ross, the Paul and Dorothea Torgersen Dean of Engineering at Virginia Tech, emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing the sector: “The conversations we’re having today are informing the path forward and ensuring that we are bringing the full potential of Virginia Tech and partners to disrupt an industry that is ripe for innovation.”

These roundtables focused on three main themes: human and digital interfaces, advanced materials and manufacturing, and sustainability. They are part of Virginia Tech’s vision to modernize the construction industry through a cross-industry approach involving material suppliers, digital technologists, and contractors.

The Coalition for Smart Construction is set to occupy a 40,000-square-foot lab and testing facility at HITT Contracting’s new headquarters in Falls Church. This space, expected to break ground in January, will serve as a national innovation hub aimed at accelerating positive change in construction.

As the construction industry faces challenges like labor shortages, lack of standardization, and a fragmented approach to innovation, the roundtables are seen as a crucial first step toward change. Arlene Parker, a principal at AECOM, shared her excitement about Virginia Tech’s capabilities in 3D concrete printing, stating, “This was the ultimate partnering session of a cross-section of business leaders of the built environment.”

Virginia Tech’s collaborative approach, which has earned the institution a reputation for bridging gaps across disciplines, is set to foster more innovation in the industry, with significant support from the university’s diverse research portfolio and industry partnerships.

As the Coalition for Smart Construction gains momentum, industry leaders are looking to make systemic changes that will align all aspects of the construction lifecycle—from planning and design to materials and talent—by fostering collaboration and innovation across sectors.