About Transforming research into better built environments
Co|Lab is a space dedicated to bringing ideas to life and building change within our industry.
Co|Lab is the epicenter of HITT Contracting’s Research & Development (R&D) team. This cutting-edge facility in Falls Church, Virginia was created as the designated physical hub for the inspiration, research, and testing that will dramatically and positively impact the construction and real estate industries.
“There are infinite opportunities for improvement in our industry. Our four pillars provide the framework for how we go about the monumental task of selecting and engaging in those opportunities. By collaborating with builders, architects, engineers, designers, and clients, we introduce real, quantifiable change, not only to one aspect of our work, but across all facets of it.”
Megan Lantz
Vice President of Research & Development
The Business Case for R&D
We tackle the toughest challenges, including:
Labor Shortage
- Driving productivity
- Workforce development
Safety Concerns
- Providing a safe work environment for our teams
- Encouraging an industry culture of safety
Innovation Gap
- Historical lack of investment in R&D throughout the AEC industry
Rising Costs
- Commercial and residential markets
- Endless cost escalation
Meet HITT’s R&D Team
Megan Lantz
Vice President, Research & Development
Connect
As Vice President of Research & Development, Megan leads the strategy to drive change in the built environment – this includes oversight of all R&D projects, Co|Lab, thought leadership, and initiating market research to support growth strategy.
Aidan Hitt
Manager, Research & Development
Connect
Aidan spearheads research projects and produces educational events around leading-edge topics, as well as managing daily operations of Co|Lab. Across HITT’s areas of research, she frames projects to the strategies at hand and executes to drive awareness and implementation.
Jim Landefeld
Manager, Research & Development
Connect
With over 42 years of AEC industry experience including architectural and structural design as well as construction project management experience, Jim leads research projects that are aligned with the overall R&D mission, helping frame the project and executing on its goals.
LaVette LaGon
Manager, Research & Development
Connect
LaVette brings 10 years of market research and marketing analytics experience within the multifamily, commercial, and residential real estate industry. LaVette conducts market research across geographies and business verticals at HITT to support growth and national operations.
Co|Lab Elements
Central to the building’s design is a double-height bay space where research projects occur on a rotational basis. The facility itself was designed around three key goals:
- Healthy Materials
- Designing for Disassembly
- Net Zero Energy Operations
HITT team members and visitors to Co|Lab can be part of this initiative by learning about innovative design strategies, following responsible waste management, taking a building tour, and applying new and different design strategies to design, build, and manage better buildings. Co|Lab has achieved the first LEED v4 BD+C Platinum certification in Virginia, and has achieved ILFI Zero Energy and Petal Certifications (part of the Living Building Challenge).
Virtual Tour
Explore Co|Lab’s facility and follow our main building elements.