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Coalition for Smart Construction

Partnering with industry to drive change for the built environment through world-class research, talent, and innovation.

Building solutions at industry scale

Many of the construction industry’s toughest problems are systemic — labor shortages, lack of standardization, fragmented innovation — and cannot be solved by individual firms or one-off projects. They demand collaboration across the entire construction ecosystem.

That's why Virginia Tech is leading the Coalition for Smart Construction, a once-in-a-generation effort to accelerate innovation and scale solutions with industry, for industry.

Our mission

To disrupt the construction industry by creating a collaborative platform that accelerates productivity, integrates emerging technologies into practice, develops skilled talent, and aligns capital to scale solutions that transform how the industry works.

An end-to-end R&D engine

Responding to industry’s needs

Click the logo to reveal the six research areas, then hover over or tap a layer to see its name.

Program areas that evolve with our members

By bringing together partners from industry, government, and higher ed, we can address some of construction's most persistent — and yet solvable — challenges. Coalition members will annually review and refine the program areas that organize our work to ensure alignment with industry priorities. Within each program area, members can launch new projects, join collaborative initiatives, or sponsor directed research that leverages the collective expertise of Virginia Tech faculty and the broader Coalition community.

Program 1

Engineering a Productivity Revolution

Program 2

Putting the Smart in Construction

Program 3

Building at the speed of need

Program 4

Conducting the Autonomous Jobsite

Program 5

From Factory to Field Innovations

Program 6

Powering the AI Economy

Program 7

Workforce Superpowers

Program 8

Building Strategic Infrastructure Anywhere

Program 9

Reinventing Construction from the Material Up

Membership tiers built for focused engagement

With three levels of membership, it’s easy for partners to balance foundational support with project-specific participation. Diverse stakeholders — from general contractors, planners, and designers to material suppliers, technology companies, operators, and owners — can strategically address their individual business challenges while shaping the future of construction.

Learn more about membership

General

$5K per year

Entry-level access to R&D through networking, a digital community, and reporting on state-of-the-art innovation.

  • Digital Commons access for up to 5 employees
  • Eligible for Steering Committee membership
  • Propose project topics through the Digital Commons for voting & Steering Committee review
  • Reporting on state-of-the-art innovation
  • Access to research reports

Steering

$50k per year • 3-year commitment

A systems-level perspective across the Coalition's work — helping shape the research agenda and strategic priorities.

  • Develop and fund a research agenda using Coalition resources and networks
  • Digital Commons access for up to 10 employees
  • Automatic seat on the Steering Committee
  • Fund cross-disciplinary R&D (with project sponsorship)
  • Access to non-proprietary, non-PII data commons & IP licensing (with sponsorship)
  • Conduct independent proprietary research with Virginia Tech (with sponsorship)

Foundational

$1M per year • 5-year commitment

A signature role guiding the Coalition's vision, priorities, and structure alongside fellow executive leaders.

  • Help shape the Smart Construction Lab & research agenda, with priority access
  • Digital Commons access for all employees

  • Automatic seat on the Executive & Steering Committees
  • Fund cross-disciplinary research and development
  • Access to non-proprietary, non-PII data commons & IP licensing
  • Conduct independent proprietary research with Virginia Tech

Meet our partners

Hitt Contracting logo
M. C. Dean logo; Building Intelligence

See inside our Smart Construction Lab

The highly anticipated Smart Construction Lab in Falls Church, Virginia, will provide Coalition members with a state-of-the-art environment to prototype ideas, evaluate emerging technologies, and collaborate on the innovations that will define the next generation of construction. 

Take a virtual tour

Leadership with industry insight

Managing director Andrew McCoy champions partnership-driven research

With over 30 years in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, Andrew McCoy focuses on helping innovative construction ideas move from concept to practice. He has led millions of dollars in funded projects across areas including additive construction, innovative and emerging technologies, technoeconomic analysis, housing, and safety for the construction industry.

Meet Andrew
Learn more about the Coalition
Image of Andrew McCoy

Follow the Coalition's story

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Andrew McCoy

Managing Director, Coalition for Smart Construction
apmccoy@vt.edu

John Ralston

Associate Director of Business Development, Virginia Tech
jfr3f@vt.edu

You’re changing the world. So are we.

Let’s do it together.

The Coalition for Smart Construction is a global destination where industry, academia, and government showcase what’s possible when we work together. For companies, it’s a platform to scale innovation and reduce risk. For faculty, a framework for interdisciplinary impact. For students, a launchpad into high-value careers. Reach out and let’s get the conversation going.

And for the construction industry, this is a path forward.