diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index 79e4283c..6603aede 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -16,3 +16,6 @@
 [submodule "external/Vulkan-Headers"]
 	path = external/Vulkan-Headers
 	url = https://github.com/KhronosGroup/Vulkan-Headers
+[submodule "external/SPIRV-Headers"]
+	path = external/SPIRV-Headers
+	url = https://github.com/KhronosGroup/SPIRV-Headers
diff --git a/OpenCloud.sln b/OpenCloud.sln
index 845b4bc0..9f3514ae 100644
--- a/OpenCloud.sln
+++ b/OpenCloud.sln
@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ Project("{2150E333-8FDC-42A3-9474-1A3956D46DE8}") = "scripts", "scripts", "{CBDD
 EndProject
 Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "volk", "external\volk.vcxproj", "{4CCD9127-5EE0-4D86-97A6-545D1F227804}"
 EndProject
+Project("{8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942}") = "vk", "code\vk\vk.vcxproj", "{CFE73B5E-826E-44F9-88B6-F3EF24954890}"
+EndProject
 Global
 	GlobalSection(SolutionConfigurationPlatforms) = preSolution
 		Debug|x64 = Debug|x64
@@ -151,6 +153,12 @@ Global
 		{4CCD9127-5EE0-4D86-97A6-545D1F227804}.FastDebug|x64.Build.0 = FastDebug|x64
 		{4CCD9127-5EE0-4D86-97A6-545D1F227804}.Release|x64.ActiveCfg = Release|x64
 		{4CCD9127-5EE0-4D86-97A6-545D1F227804}.Release|x64.Build.0 = Release|x64
+		{CFE73B5E-826E-44F9-88B6-F3EF24954890}.Debug|x64.ActiveCfg = Debug|x64
+		{CFE73B5E-826E-44F9-88B6-F3EF24954890}.Debug|x64.Build.0 = Debug|x64
+		{CFE73B5E-826E-44F9-88B6-F3EF24954890}.FastDebug|x64.ActiveCfg = FastDebug|x64
+		{CFE73B5E-826E-44F9-88B6-F3EF24954890}.FastDebug|x64.Build.0 = FastDebug|x64
+		{CFE73B5E-826E-44F9-88B6-F3EF24954890}.Release|x64.ActiveCfg = Release|x64
+		{CFE73B5E-826E-44F9-88B6-F3EF24954890}.Release|x64.Build.0 = Release|x64
 	EndGlobalSection
 	GlobalSection(SolutionProperties) = preSolution
 		HideSolutionNode = FALSE
@@ -167,6 +175,7 @@ Global
 		{123DEE7E-D3F8-4A2A-95F3-5D4E8EA26FB3} = {B7584972-373B-4199-A285-5CCD599277EE}
 		{7E35C3E7-B0A9-407A-A27D-E552B43602C2} = {5B4BAF44-C9E2-449A-86B5-DE883F2E2919}
 		{4CCD9127-5EE0-4D86-97A6-545D1F227804} = {B7584972-373B-4199-A285-5CCD599277EE}
+		{CFE73B5E-826E-44F9-88B6-F3EF24954890} = {5B4BAF44-C9E2-449A-86B5-DE883F2E2919}
 	EndGlobalSection
 	GlobalSection(ExtensibilityGlobals) = postSolution
 		SolutionGuid = {81C91EE3-8C0D-44FC-A3A6-F4D80A915E56}
diff --git a/code/graph/api.h b/code/graph/api.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..00e39b19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/graph/api.h
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+#pragma once
+
+namespace graph
+{
+  class api
+  {
+  public:
+    api() = default;
+    virtual ~api() = default;
+  };
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/graph/graph.vcxproj b/code/graph/graph.vcxproj
index be510ccc..84e685f0 100644
--- a/code/graph/graph.vcxproj
+++ b/code/graph/graph.vcxproj
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
     <None Include="_vector\_vector_swizzle4.inl" />
   </ItemGroup>
   <ItemGroup>
+    <ClInclude Include="api.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="matrix.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="rectangle.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="renderer.h" />
diff --git a/code/vk/api.cc b/code/vk/api.cc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b9c2442f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/vk/api.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+#include "common/log.h"
+
+#include "vk/api.h"
+#include "vk/helpers.h"
+
+set_log_channel("vk");
+
+namespace vk
+{
+  api::api() = default;
+  api::~api() = default;
+
+  VkInstance api::create_instance()
+  {
+    const auto api_version = vk::enumerate_instance_version();
+
+    const VkApplicationInfo app =
+    {
+      .sType              = VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_APPLICATION_INFO,
+      .pNext              = VK_NULL_HANDLE,
+      .pApplicationName   = "Open Cloud",
+      .applicationVersion = VK_MAKE_API_VERSION(0, 0, 1, 0),
+      .pEngineName        = "Open Cloud Engine",
+      .engineVersion      = VK_MAKE_API_VERSION(0, 0, 1, 0),
+      .apiVersion         = api_version.value_or(VK_API_VERSION_1_0)
+    };
+
+    log_info("Api Version: {}.{}", VK_VERSION_MAJOR(app.apiVersion), VK_API_VERSION_MINOR(app.apiVersion));
+
+    static constexpr std::array<VkValidationFeatureEnableEXT, 3> validation_features =
+    {
+      VK_VALIDATION_FEATURE_ENABLE_BEST_PRACTICES_EXT,
+      VK_VALIDATION_FEATURE_ENABLE_DEBUG_PRINTF_EXT,
+      VK_VALIDATION_FEATURE_ENABLE_SYNCHRONIZATION_VALIDATION_EXT
+    };
+
+    VkValidationFeaturesEXT validation_ext =
+    {
+      .sType                          = VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_VALIDATION_FEATURES_EXT,
+      .pNext                          = VK_NULL_HANDLE,
+      .enabledValidationFeatureCount  = static_cast<u32>(validation_features.size()),
+      .pEnabledValidationFeatures     = validation_features.data(),
+      .disabledValidationFeatureCount = 0,
+      .pDisabledValidationFeatures    = VK_NULL_HANDLE
+    };
+
+    VkInstanceCreateInfo create_info =
+    {
+      .sType            = VK_STRUCTURE_TYPE_APPLICATION_INFO,
+      .pNext            = VK_NULL_HANDLE,
+      .flags            = 0,
+      .pApplicationInfo = &app,
+    };
+
+    vk::append_structure_to_chain(&create_info, &validation_ext);
+
+    VkInstance instance{ VK_NULL_HANDLE };
+    const VkResult res = vkCreateInstance(&create_info, VK_NULL_HANDLE, &instance);
+
+    if (VK_FAILED(res))
+    {
+      log_error("Failed to create instance: {}", res);
+
+      return VK_NULL_HANDLE;
+    }
+
+    return instance;
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/vk/api.h b/code/vk/api.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4fd2a0f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/vk/api.h
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#pragma once
+#include <volk.h>
+
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "graph/api.h"
+
+#include "common/strings.h"
+#include "common/dictionary.h"
+
+namespace vk
+{
+  class api : public graph::api
+  {
+  public:
+    api();
+    ~api();
+
+    static VkInstance create_instance();
+  };
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/vk/helpers.cc b/code/vk/helpers.cc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0319327f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/vk/helpers.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+#include "vk/helpers.h"
+
+#include "common/log.h"
+
+set_log_channel("vk");
+
+namespace vk
+{
+  std::string_view result_to_string(VkResult res)
+  {
+    constexpr common::dictionary<VkResult, std::string_view, 45> mapping =
+    {
+      { VK_SUCCESS,                                            "VK_SUCCESS"                                            },
+      { VK_NOT_READY,                                          "VK_NOT_READY"                                          },
+      { VK_TIMEOUT,                                            "VK_TIMEOUT"                                            },
+      { VK_EVENT_SET,                                          "VK_EVENT_SET"                                          },
+      { VK_EVENT_RESET,                                        "VK_EVENT_RESET"                                        },
+      { VK_INCOMPLETE,                                         "VK_INCOMPLETE"                                         },
+      { VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_HOST_MEMORY,                           "VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_HOST_MEMORY"                           },
+      { VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_DEVICE_MEMORY,                         "VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_DEVICE_MEMORY"                         },
+      { VK_ERROR_INITIALIZATION_FAILED,                        "VK_ERROR_INITIALIZATION_FAILED"                        },
+      { VK_ERROR_DEVICE_LOST,                                  "VK_ERROR_DEVICE_LOST"                                  },
+      { VK_ERROR_MEMORY_MAP_FAILED,                            "VK_ERROR_MEMORY_MAP_FAILED"                            },
+      { VK_ERROR_LAYER_NOT_PRESENT,                            "VK_ERROR_LAYER_NOT_PRESENT"                            },
+      { VK_ERROR_EXTENSION_NOT_PRESENT,                        "VK_ERROR_EXTENSION_NOT_PRESENT"                        },
+      { VK_ERROR_FEATURE_NOT_PRESENT,                          "VK_ERROR_FEATURE_NOT_PRESENT"                          },
+      { VK_ERROR_INCOMPATIBLE_DRIVER,                          "VK_ERROR_INCOMPATIBLE_DRIVER"                          },
+      { VK_ERROR_TOO_MANY_OBJECTS,                             "VK_ERROR_TOO_MANY_OBJECTS"                             },
+      { VK_ERROR_FORMAT_NOT_SUPPORTED,                         "VK_ERROR_FORMAT_NOT_SUPPORTED"                         },
+      { VK_ERROR_FRAGMENTED_POOL,                              "VK_ERROR_FRAGMENTED_POOL"                              },
+      { VK_ERROR_UNKNOWN,                                      "VK_ERROR_UNKNOWN"                                      },
+      { VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_POOL_MEMORY,                           "VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_POOL_MEMORY"                           },
+      { VK_ERROR_INVALID_EXTERNAL_HANDLE,                      "VK_ERROR_INVALID_EXTERNAL_HANDLE"                      },
+      { VK_ERROR_FRAGMENTATION,                                "VK_ERROR_FRAGMENTATION"                                },
+      { VK_ERROR_INVALID_OPAQUE_CAPTURE_ADDRESS,               "VK_ERROR_INVALID_OPAQUE_CAPTURE_ADDRESS"               },
+      { VK_PIPELINE_COMPILE_REQUIRED,                          "VK_PIPELINE_COMPILE_REQUIRED"                          },
+      { VK_ERROR_SURFACE_LOST_KHR,                             "VK_ERROR_SURFACE_LOST_KHR"                             },
+      { VK_ERROR_NATIVE_WINDOW_IN_USE_KHR,                     "VK_ERROR_NATIVE_WINDOW_IN_USE_KHR"                     },
+      { VK_SUBOPTIMAL_KHR,                                     "VK_SUBOPTIMAL_KHR"                                     },
+      { VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_DATE_KHR,                              "VK_ERROR_OUT_OF_DATE_KHR"                              },
+      { VK_ERROR_INCOMPATIBLE_DISPLAY_KHR,                     "VK_ERROR_INCOMPATIBLE_DISPLAY_KHR"                     },
+      { VK_ERROR_VALIDATION_FAILED_EXT,                        "VK_ERROR_VALIDATION_FAILED_EXT"                        },
+      { VK_ERROR_INVALID_SHADER_NV,                            "VK_ERROR_INVALID_SHADER_NV"                            },
+      { VK_ERROR_IMAGE_USAGE_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR,                "VK_ERROR_IMAGE_USAGE_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR"                },
+      { VK_ERROR_VIDEO_PICTURE_LAYOUT_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR,       "VK_ERROR_VIDEO_PICTURE_LAYOUT_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR"       },
+      { VK_ERROR_VIDEO_PROFILE_OPERATION_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR,    "VK_ERROR_VIDEO_PROFILE_OPERATION_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR"    },
+      { VK_ERROR_VIDEO_PROFILE_FORMAT_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR,       "VK_ERROR_VIDEO_PROFILE_FORMAT_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR"       },
+      { VK_ERROR_VIDEO_PROFILE_CODEC_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR,        "VK_ERROR_VIDEO_PROFILE_CODEC_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR"        },
+      { VK_ERROR_VIDEO_STD_VERSION_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR,          "VK_ERROR_VIDEO_STD_VERSION_NOT_SUPPORTED_KHR"          },
+      { VK_ERROR_INVALID_DRM_FORMAT_MODIFIER_PLANE_LAYOUT_EXT, "VK_ERROR_INVALID_DRM_FORMAT_MODIFIER_PLANE_LAYOUT_EXT" },
+      { VK_ERROR_NOT_PERMITTED_KHR,                            "VK_ERROR_NOT_PERMITTED_KHR"                            },
+      { VK_ERROR_FULL_SCREEN_EXCLUSIVE_MODE_LOST_EXT,          "VK_ERROR_FULL_SCREEN_EXCLUSIVE_MODE_LOST_EXT"          },
+      { VK_THREAD_IDLE_KHR,                                    "VK_THREAD_IDLE_KHR"                                    },
+      { VK_THREAD_DONE_KHR,                                    "VK_THREAD_DONE_KHR"                                    },
+      { VK_OPERATION_DEFERRED_KHR,                             "VK_OPERATION_DEFERRED_KHR"                             },
+      { VK_OPERATION_NOT_DEFERRED_KHR,                         "VK_OPERATION_NOT_DEFERRED_KHR"                         },
+      { VK_ERROR_INCOMPATIBLE_SHADER_BINARY_EXT,               "VK_ERROR_INCOMPATIBLE_SHADER_BINARY_EXT"               }
+    };
+
+    return mapping.find_or(res, "VK_ERROR_UNKNOWN");
+  }
+
+  std::optional<u32> enumerate_instance_version()
+  {
+    u32 instance_version{ 0 };
+
+    if (!vkEnumerateInstanceVersion)
+    {
+      log_warn("vkEnumerateInstanceVersion not implemented");
+
+      return std::nullopt;
+    }
+
+    const VkResult res = vkEnumerateInstanceVersion(&instance_version);
+    if (VK_FAILED(res))
+    {
+      log_error("Failed to get instance version: {}", res);
+
+      return std::nullopt;
+    }
+
+    return instance_version;
+  }
+
+  std::vector<VkLayerProperties> enumerate_instance_layer_properties()
+  {
+    u32 prop_count;
+
+    VkResult res = vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties(&prop_count, VK_NULL_HANDLE);
+    if (VK_FAILED(res))
+    {
+      log_error("Failed to enumerate instance layer properties (pass 1): {}", res);
+
+      return {};
+    }
+
+    std::vector<VkLayerProperties> props{ prop_count };
+
+    res = vkEnumerateInstanceLayerProperties(&prop_count, props.data());
+    if (VK_FAILED(res))
+    {
+      log_error("Failed to enumerate instance layer properties (pass 2): {}", res);
+
+      return {};
+    }
+
+    return props;
+  }
+
+  std::vector<VkExtensionProperties> enumerate_instance_extension_properties()
+  {
+    u32 prop_count;
+
+    VkResult res = vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties(VK_NULL_HANDLE, &prop_count, VK_NULL_HANDLE);
+    if (VK_FAILED(res))
+    {
+      log_error("Failed to enumerate instance extension properties (pass 1): {}", res);
+
+      return {};
+    }
+
+    std::vector<VkExtensionProperties> props{ prop_count };
+
+    res = vkEnumerateInstanceExtensionProperties(VK_NULL_HANDLE, &prop_count, props.data());
+    if (VK_FAILED(res))
+    {
+      log_error("Failed to enumerate instance extension properties (pass 2): {}", res);
+
+      return {};
+    }
+
+    return props;
+  }
+
+  std::vector<VkPhysicalDevice> enumerate_physical_devices(VkInstance instance)
+  {
+    assert_panic(instance != VK_NULL_HANDLE);
+
+    u32 device_count;
+
+    VkResult res = vkEnumeratePhysicalDevices(instance, &device_count, VK_NULL_HANDLE);
+    if (VK_FAILED(res))
+    {
+      log_error("Failed to enumerate physical devices (pass 1): {}", res);
+
+      return {};
+    }
+
+    std::vector<VkPhysicalDevice> devices{ device_count };
+
+    res = vkEnumeratePhysicalDevices(instance, &device_count, devices.data());
+    if (VK_FAILED(res))
+    {
+      log_error("Failed to enumerate physical devices (pass 2): {}", res);
+
+      return {};
+    }
+
+    return devices;
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/vk/helpers.h b/code/vk/helpers.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..910a3f33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/vk/helpers.h
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+#pragma once
+#include <volk.h>
+#include <fmt/format.h>
+
+#include <optional>
+#include <string_view>
+
+#include "common/dictionary.h"
+#include "common/strings.h"
+
+namespace vk
+{
+  // convert a VkResult to a human readable string
+  std::string_view result_to_string(VkResult res);
+
+  // get the api version for the instance
+  // returns nullopt on failure or 1.0 spec
+  std::optional<u32> enumerate_instance_version();
+
+  // get instance layers
+  std::vector<VkLayerProperties> enumerate_instance_layer_properties();
+
+  // get instance extensions
+  std::vector<VkExtensionProperties> enumerate_instance_extension_properties();
+
+  // get physical devices
+  std::vector<VkPhysicalDevice> enumerate_physical_devices(VkInstance instance);
+
+  // append a structure to a vk structure chain
+  template<typename head_structure_type, typename type>
+  void append_structure_to_chain(head_structure_type* head, type* structure)
+  {
+    VkBaseOutStructure* current = reinterpret_cast<VkBaseOutStructure*>(head);
+
+    while (current->pNext)
+    {
+      const auto next = current->pNext;
+
+      // we already have this structure in the chain
+      if (next->sType == structure->sType)
+      {
+        return;
+      }
+
+      current = next;
+    }
+
+    current->pNext = reinterpret_cast<VkBaseOutStructure*>(structure);
+  }
+}
+
+template<>
+struct fmt::formatter<VkResult> : formatter<std::string_view>
+{
+  auto format(VkResult res, format_context& ctx)
+  {
+    constexpr std::string_view tpl =
+    {
+      "VkResult({})"
+    };
+
+    return fmt::format_to(ctx.out(), tpl, vk::result_to_string(res));
+  }
+};
+
+#define VK_SUCCEEDED(res) res == VK_SUCCESS
+#define VK_FAILED(res) res != VK_SUCCESS
diff --git a/code/vk/loader.cc b/code/vk/loader.cc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8b82cb01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/vk/loader.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+#include "vk/loader.h"
+#include "vk/helpers.h"
+
+#include "common/log.h"
+
+set_log_channel("vk");
+
+namespace vk
+{
+  bool load_base_library()
+  {
+    const auto res = volkInitialize();
+
+    if (VK_FAILED(res))
+    {
+      log_error("Failed to load vulkan library: {}", res);
+
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  bool load_instance_functions(VkInstance instance)
+  {
+    volkLoadInstance(instance);
+
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  bool load_device_functions(VkDevice device)
+  {
+    volkLoadDevice(device);
+
+    return true;
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/vk/loader.h b/code/vk/loader.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4919dd7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/vk/loader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <volk.h>
+
+namespace vk
+{
+  // load the vulkan library
+  bool load_base_library();
+
+  // load function pointers for the instance
+  bool load_instance_functions(VkInstance instance);
+
+  // load function pointers for the device
+  bool load_device_functions(VkDevice device);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/vk/vk.exports.props b/code/vk/vk.exports.props
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/code/vk/vk.vcxproj b/code/vk/vk.vcxproj
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..434da607
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/vk/vk.vcxproj
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<Project DefaultTargets="Build" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
+  <Import Project="$(SolutionDir)\.msvc\Base.Targets.Props" />
+  <Import Project="$(SolutionDir)\.msvc\Base.Globals.Props" />
+  <PropertyGroup Label="Globals">
+    <ProjectGuid>{CFE73B5E-826E-44F9-88B6-F3EF24954890}</ProjectGuid>
+  </PropertyGroup>
+  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.Default.props" />
+  <Import Project="$(SolutionDir)\.msvc\StaticLibrary.Configuration.Props" />
+  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.props" />
+  <Import Project="$(SolutionDir)\.msvc\All.Compile.Props" />
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <None Include="vk.exports.props" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <ClInclude Include="api.h" />
+    <ClInclude Include="helpers.h" />
+    <ClInclude Include="loader.h" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <ClCompile Include="api.cc" />
+    <ClCompile Include="helpers.cc" />
+    <ClCompile Include="loader.cc" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+  <ItemGroup>
+    <Text Include="CMakeLists.txt" />
+  </ItemGroup>
+  <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
+  <Import Project="$(SolutionDir)code\graph\graph.exports.props" />
+  <Import Project="$(SolutionDir)external\vulkan-headers.exports.props" />
+  <Import Project="$(SolutionDir)external\spirv-headers.exports.props" />
+  <Import Project="$(SolutionDir)external\volk.exports.props" />
+</Project>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/external/SPIRV-Headers b/external/SPIRV-Headers
new file mode 160000
index 00000000..b8b9eb86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/external/SPIRV-Headers
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Subproject commit b8b9eb8640c8c0107ba580fbcb10f969022ca32c
diff --git a/external/spirv-headers.exports.props b/external/spirv-headers.exports.props
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e619c6c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/external/spirv-headers.exports.props
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<Project>
+  <ItemDefinitionGroup>
+    <ClCompile>
+      <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>$(SolutionDir)external\SPIRV-Headers\include;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
+    </ClCompile>
+  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
+</Project>
diff --git a/external/volk.exports.props b/external/volk.exports.props
index 9ec71675..88ccb444 100644
--- a/external/volk.exports.props
+++ b/external/volk.exports.props
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <Project>
+  <ItemDefinitionGroup>
+    <ClCompile>
+      <AdditionalIncludeDirectories>$(SolutionDir)external\volk;%(AdditionalIncludeDirectories)</AdditionalIncludeDirectories>
+    </ClCompile>
+  </ItemDefinitionGroup>
+
   <ItemGroup>
     <ProjectReference Include="$(SolutionDir)external\volk.vcxproj">
       <Project>{4CCD9127-5EE0-4D86-97A6-545D1F227804}</Project>