diff --git a/Jenkinsfile b/Jenkinsfile
index 7ad2d352664d..6a3daff2d7b9 100644
--- a/Jenkinsfile
+++ b/Jenkinsfile
@@ -210,6 +210,8 @@ stage('Build') {
            echo set\\(CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER g++\\) >> config.cmake
            echo set\\(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS -Werror\\) >> config.cmake
            echo set\\(HIDE_PRIVATE_SYMBOLS ON\\) >> config.cmake
+           echo set\\(USE_VTA_TSIM ON\\) >> config.cmake
+           echo set\\(USE_VTA_FSIM ON\\) >> config.cmake
            """
         make(ci_cpu, 'build', '-j2')
         pack_lib('cpu', tvm_lib)
@@ -241,6 +243,8 @@ stage('Build') {
            echo set\\(USE_LLVM llvm-config-4.0\\) >> config.cmake
            echo set\\(CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER g++\\) >> config.cmake
            echo set\\(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS -Werror\\) >> config.cmake
+           echo set\\(USE_VTA_TSIM ON\\) >> config.cmake
+           echo set\\(USE_VTA_FSIM ON\\) >> config.cmake
            """
         make(ci_i386, 'build', '-j2')
         pack_lib('i386', tvm_multilib)
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index e108f27555d8..c1b565f25cdb 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ ifndef DLPACK_PATH
   DLPACK_PATH = $(ROOTDIR)/3rdparty/dlpack
 endif
 
+ifndef VTA_HW_PATH
+  VTA_HW_PATH = $(ROOTDIR)/vta/vta-hw
+endif
+
 INCLUDE_FLAGS = -Iinclude -I$(DLPACK_PATH)/include -I$(DMLC_CORE_PATH)/include
 PKG_CFLAGS = -std=c++11 -Wall -O2 $(INCLUDE_FLAGS) -fPIC
 PKG_LDFLAGS =
@@ -81,7 +85,7 @@ jnilint:
 	python3 3rdparty/dmlc-core/scripts/lint.py tvm4j-jni cpp jvm/native/src
 
 scalalint:
-	make -C vta/vta-hw/hardware/chisel lint
+	make -C $(VTA_HW_PATH)/hardware/chisel lint
 
 lint: cpplint pylint jnilint scalalint
 
diff --git a/apps/vta_rpc/start_rpc_server_to_tracker.sh b/apps/vta_rpc/start_rpc_server_to_tracker.sh
index de719fd37059..40d01557fe23 100755
--- a/apps/vta_rpc/start_rpc_server_to_tracker.sh
+++ b/apps/vta_rpc/start_rpc_server_to_tracker.sh
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 PROJROOT="$( cd "$( dirname '${BASH_SOURCE[0]}' )/../../" && pwd )"
 
 # Derive target specified by vta_config.json
-VTA_CONFIG=${PROJROOT}/vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.py
+VTA_CONFIG=${VTA_HW_PATH}/config/vta_config.py
 TARGET=$(python ${VTA_CONFIG} --target)
 
 export PYTHONPATH=${PYTHONPATH}:${PROJROOT}/python:${PROJROOT}/vta/python
diff --git a/cmake/config.cmake b/cmake/config.cmake
index 6ab362c899a3..6451ea8b934d 100644
--- a/cmake/config.cmake
+++ b/cmake/config.cmake
@@ -191,10 +191,10 @@ set(USE_ANTLR OFF)
 set(USE_RELAY_DEBUG OFF)
 
 # Whether to build fast VTA simulator driver
-set(USE_VTA_FSIM ON)
+set(USE_VTA_FSIM OFF)
 
 # Whether to build cycle-accurate VTA simulator driver
-set(USE_VTA_TSIM ON)
+set(USE_VTA_TSIM OFF)
 
 # Whether to build VTA FPGA driver (device side only)
 set(USE_VTA_FPGA OFF)
diff --git a/cmake/modules/VTA.cmake b/cmake/modules/VTA.cmake
index 34d4956ca5b2..c709de4852da 100644
--- a/cmake/modules/VTA.cmake
+++ b/cmake/modules/VTA.cmake
@@ -18,17 +18,19 @@
 # CMake Build rules for VTA
 find_program(PYTHON NAMES python python3 python3.6)
 
-# VTA sources directory
-set(VTA_DIR ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/vta/vta-hw)
+# Throw error if VTA_HW_PATH is not set
+if(NOT DEFINED ENV{VTA_HW_PATH})
+    set(ENV{VTA_HW_PATH} vta/vta-hw)
+endif()
 
 if(MSVC)
   message(STATUS "VTA build is skipped in Windows..")
 elseif(PYTHON)
-  set(VTA_CONFIG ${PYTHON} ${VTA_DIR}/config/vta_config.py)
+  set(VTA_CONFIG ${PYTHON} $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/config/vta_config.py)
 
   if(EXISTS ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/vta_config.json)
     message(STATUS "Use VTA config " ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/vta_config.json)
-    set(VTA_CONFIG ${PYTHON} ${VTA_DIR}/config/vta_config.py
+    set(VTA_CONFIG ${PYTHON} $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/config/vta_config.py
       --use-cfg=${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/vta_config.json)
   endif()
 
@@ -43,14 +45,14 @@ elseif(PYTHON)
   # Fast simulator driver build
   if(USE_VTA_FSIM)
     # Add fsim driver sources
-    file(GLOB FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_DIR}/src/*.cc)
+    file(GLOB FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/*.cc)
     file(GLOB FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS vta/runtime/*.cc)
-    list(APPEND FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_DIR}/src/sim/sim_driver.cc)
-    list(APPEND FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_DIR}/src/sim/sim_tlpp.cc)
-    list(APPEND FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_DIR}/src/vmem/virtual_memory.cc)
+    list(APPEND FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/sim/sim_driver.cc)
+    list(APPEND FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/sim/sim_tlpp.cc)
+    list(APPEND FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/vmem/virtual_memory.cc)
     # Target lib: vta_fsim
     add_library(vta_fsim SHARED ${FSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS})
-    target_include_directories(vta_fsim PUBLIC ${VTA_DIR}/include)
+    target_include_directories(vta_fsim PUBLIC $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/include)
     foreach(__def ${VTA_DEFINITIONS})
       string(SUBSTRING ${__def} 3 -1 __strip_def)
       target_compile_definitions(vta_fsim PUBLIC ${__strip_def})
@@ -64,14 +66,14 @@ elseif(PYTHON)
   # Cycle accurate simulator driver build
   if(USE_VTA_TSIM)
     # Add tsim driver sources
-    file(GLOB TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_DIR}/src/*.cc)
+    file(GLOB TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/*.cc)
     file(GLOB TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS vta/runtime/*.cc)
-    list(APPEND TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_DIR}/src/tsim/tsim_driver.cc)
-    list(APPEND TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_DIR}/src/dpi/module.cc)
-    list(APPEND TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_DIR}/src/vmem/virtual_memory.cc)
+    list(APPEND TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/tsim/tsim_driver.cc)
+    list(APPEND TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/dpi/module.cc)
+    list(APPEND TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/vmem/virtual_memory.cc)
     # Target lib: vta_tsim
     add_library(vta_tsim SHARED ${TSIM_RUNTIME_SRCS})
-    target_include_directories(vta_tsim PUBLIC ${VTA_DIR}/include)
+    target_include_directories(vta_tsim PUBLIC $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/include)
     foreach(__def ${VTA_DEFINITIONS})
       string(SUBSTRING ${__def} 3 -1 __strip_def)
       target_compile_definitions(vta_tsim PUBLIC ${__strip_def})
@@ -83,15 +85,15 @@ elseif(PYTHON)
 
   # VTA FPGA driver sources
   if(USE_VTA_FPGA)
-    file(GLOB FPGA_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/*.cc)
+    file(GLOB FPGA_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/*.cc)
     # Rules for Zynq-class FPGAs with pynq OS support (see pynq.io)
     if(${VTA_TARGET} STREQUAL "pynq" OR
        ${VTA_TARGET} STREQUAL "ultra96")
-      list(APPEND FPGA_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/pynq/pynq_driver.cc)
+      list(APPEND FPGA_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/pynq/pynq_driver.cc)
       # Rules for Pynq v2.4
       find_library(__cma_lib NAMES cma PATH /usr/lib)
     elseif(${VTA_TARGET} STREQUAL "de10nano")  # DE10-Nano rules
-      file(GLOB FPGA_RUNTIME_SRCS ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/de10nano/*.cc ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/*.cc)
+      file(GLOB FPGA_RUNTIME_SRCS $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/de10nano/*.cc $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/*.cc)
     endif()
     # Target lib: vta
     add_library(vta SHARED ${FPGA_RUNTIME_SRCS})
@@ -105,7 +107,7 @@ elseif(PYTHON)
       target_link_libraries(vta ${__cma_lib})
     elseif(${VTA_TARGET} STREQUAL "de10nano")  # DE10-Nano rules
      #target_compile_definitions(vta PUBLIC VTA_MAX_XFER=2097152) # (1<<21)
-      target_include_directories(vta PUBLIC ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/de10nano)
+      target_include_directories(vta PUBLIC $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/de10nano)
       target_include_directories(vta PUBLIC 3rdparty)
       target_include_directories(vta PUBLIC
         "/usr/local/intelFPGA_lite/18.1/embedded/ds-5/sw/gcc/arm-linux-gnueabihf/include")
diff --git a/docs/Doxyfile b/docs/Doxyfile
index 9ceca98e8107..d665d200dca2 100644
--- a/docs/Doxyfile
+++ b/docs/Doxyfile
@@ -770,7 +770,7 @@ WARN_LOGFILE           =
 # spaces.
 # Note: If this tag is empty the current directory is searched.
 
-INPUT                  = include/tvm topi/include/topi vta/vta-hw/include/vta
+INPUT                  = include/tvm topi/include/topi
 
 # This tag can be used to specify the character encoding of the source files
 # that doxygen parses. Internally doxygen uses the UTF-8 encoding. Doxygen uses
diff --git a/docs/vta/install.md b/docs/vta/install.md
index ea9c462de8d7..e428514d43de 100644
--- a/docs/vta/install.md
+++ b/docs/vta/install.md
@@ -29,8 +29,22 @@ We present three installation guides, each extending on the previous one:
 You need [TVM installed](https://docs.tvm.ai/install/index.html) on your machine.
 For a quick and easy start, use the pre-built [TVM Docker image](https://docs.tvm.ai/install/docker.html).
 
-The VTA simulator library is built by default with TVM.
-Add the VTA library to your python path to run the VTA examples.
+You'll need to set the following paths to use VTA:
+```bash
+export TVM_PATH=<path to TVM root>
+export VTA_HW_PATH=$TVM_PATH/vta/vta-hw
+```
+
+The VTA functional simulation library needs to be enabled when building TVM.
+```bash
+cd <tvm-root>
+mkdir build
+cp cmake/config.cmake build/.
+echo 'set(USE_VTA_FSIM ON)' >> build/config.cmake
+cd build && cmake .. && make -j4
+```
+
+Add the VTA python library to your python path to run the VTA examples.
 
 ```bash
 export PYTHONPATH=/path/to/vta/python:${PYTHONPATH}
@@ -118,8 +132,6 @@ ssh xilinx@192.168.2.99
 cd /home/xilinx/tvm
 mkdir build
 cp cmake/config.cmake build/.
-echo 'set(USE_VTA_FSIM OFF)' >> build/config.cmake
-echo 'set(USE_VTA_TSIM OFF)' >> build/config.cmake
 echo 'set(USE_VTA_FPGA ON)' >> build/config.cmake
 # Copy pynq specific configuration
 cp vta/vta-hw/config/pynq_sample.json vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.json
diff --git a/tests/scripts/task_python_vta_fsim.sh b/tests/scripts/task_python_vta_fsim.sh
index b0eb2d0fdee2..07ee4ef5ea2e 100755
--- a/tests/scripts/task_python_vta_fsim.sh
+++ b/tests/scripts/task_python_vta_fsim.sh
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@
 set -e
 set -u
 
-export PYTHONPATH=python:vta/python:topi/python
+export TVM_PATH=.
+export PYTHONPATH=${TVM_PATH}/python:${TVM_PATH}/vta/python:${TVM_PATH}/topi/python
+export VTA_HW_PATH=vta/vta-hw
 
 # cleanup pycache
 find . -type f -path "*.pyc" | xargs rm -f
@@ -30,12 +32,12 @@ rm -rf ~/.tvm
 make cython3
 
 # Reset default fsim simulation
-cp vta/vta-hw/config/fsim_sample.json vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.json
+cp ${VTA_HW_PATH}/config/fsim_sample.json ${VTA_HW_PATH}/config/vta_config.json
 
 # Run unit tests in functional/fast simulator
 echo "Running unittest in fsim..."
-python3 -m pytest -v vta/tests/python/unittest
+python3 -m pytest -v ${TVM_PATH}/vta/tests/python/unittest
 
 # Run unit tests in functional/fast simulator
 echo "Running integration test in fsim..."
-python3 -m pytest -v vta/tests/python/integration
+python3 -m pytest -v ${TVM_PATH}/vta/tests/python/integration
diff --git a/tests/scripts/task_python_vta_tsim.sh b/tests/scripts/task_python_vta_tsim.sh
index d13614f9c45a..5302f132d535 100755
--- a/tests/scripts/task_python_vta_tsim.sh
+++ b/tests/scripts/task_python_vta_tsim.sh
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@
 set -e
 set -u
 
-export PYTHONPATH=python:vta/python:topi/python
+export TVM_PATH=.
+export PYTHONPATH=${TVM_PATH}/python:${TVM_PATH}/vta/python:${TVM_PATH}/topi/python
+export VTA_HW_PATH=vta/vta-hw
 
 # cleanup pycache
 find . -type f -path "*.pyc" | xargs rm -f
@@ -30,30 +32,30 @@ rm -rf ~/.tvm
 make cython3
 
 # Set default VTA config to use TSIM cycle accurate sim
-cp vta/vta-hw/config/tsim_sample.json vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.json
+cp ${VTA_HW_PATH}/config/tsim_sample.json ${VTA_HW_PATH}/config/vta_config.json
 
 # Build and run the TSIM apps (disable until refactor is complete)
 # echo "Test the TSIM apps..."
-# make -C vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/ run_verilog
-# make -C vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/ run_chisel
-# make -C vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/ default
+# make -C ${VTA_HW_PATH}/apps/tsim_example/ run_verilog
+# make -C ${VTA_HW_PATH}/apps/tsim_example/ run_chisel
+# make -C ${VTA_HW_PATH}/apps/gemm/ default
 
 # Check style of scala code
 echo "Check style of scala code..."
-make -C vta/vta-hw/hardware/chisel lint
+make -C ${VTA_HW_PATH}/hardware/chisel lint
 
 # Build VTA chisel design and verilator simulator
 echo "Building VTA chisel design..."
-make -C vta/vta-hw/hardware/chisel cleanall
-make -C vta/vta-hw/hardware/chisel USE_THREADS=0 lib
+make -C ${VTA_HW_PATH}/hardware/chisel cleanall
+make -C ${VTA_HW_PATH}/hardware/chisel USE_THREADS=0 lib
 
 # Run unit tests in cycle accurate simulator
 echo "Running unittest in tsim..."
-python3 -m pytest -v vta/tests/python/unittest
+python3 -m pytest -v ${TVM_PATH}/vta/tests/python/unittest
 
 # Run unit tests in cycle accurate simulator
 echo "Running integration test in tsim..."
-python3 -m pytest -v vta/tests/python/integration
+python3 -m pytest -v ${TVM_PATH}/vta/tests/python/integration
 
 # Reset default fsim simulation
-cp vta/vta-hw/config/fsim_sample.json vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.json
+cp ${VTA_HW_PATH}/config/fsim_sample.json ${VTA_HW_PATH}/config/vta_config.json
diff --git a/vta/python/vta/environment.py b/vta/python/vta/environment.py
index 1b7f7e8369da..22ae0f920ce6 100644
--- a/vta/python/vta/environment.py
+++ b/vta/python/vta/environment.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 # specific language governing permissions and limitations
 # under the License.
 """Configurable VTA Hareware Environment scope."""
-# pylint: disable=invalid-name
+# pylint: disable=invalid-name, exec-used
 from __future__ import absolute_import as _abs
 
 import os
@@ -24,8 +24,21 @@
 import tvm
 from tvm import te
 from . import intrin
-from .pkg_config import PkgConfig
 
+def get_vta_hw_path():
+    """Get the VTA HW path."""
+    curr_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(__file__)))
+    vta_hw_default = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(curr_path, "../../vta-hw"))
+    VTA_HW_PATH = os.getenv('VTA_HW_PATH', vta_hw_default)
+    return VTA_HW_PATH
+
+def pkg_config(cfg):
+    """Returns PkgConfig pkg config object."""
+    pkg_config_py = os.path.join(get_vta_hw_path(), "config/pkg_config.py")
+    libpkg = {"__file__": pkg_config_py}
+    exec(compile(open(pkg_config_py, "rb").read(), pkg_config_py, "exec"), libpkg, libpkg)
+    PkgConfig = libpkg["PkgConfig"]
+    return PkgConfig(cfg)
 
 class DevContext(object):
     """Internal development context
@@ -115,7 +128,7 @@ class Environment(object):
     # initialization function
     def __init__(self, cfg):
         # Produce the derived parameters and update dict
-        self.pkg = self.pkg_config(cfg)
+        self.pkg = pkg_config(cfg)
         self.__dict__.update(self.pkg.cfg_dict)
         # data type width
         self.INP_WIDTH = 1 << self.LOG_INP_WIDTH
@@ -172,12 +185,6 @@ def __enter__(self):
     def __exit__(self, ptype, value, trace):
         Environment.current = self._last_env
 
-    def pkg_config(self, cfg):
-        """PkgConfig instance"""
-        curr_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(__file__)))
-        proj_root = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(curr_path, "../../"))
-        return PkgConfig(cfg, proj_root)
-
     @property
     def cfg_dict(self):
         return self.pkg.cfg_dict
@@ -308,17 +315,10 @@ def coproc_dep_pop(op):
 
 def _init_env():
     """Initialize the default global env"""
-    curr_path = os.path.dirname(
-        os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(__file__)))
-    proj_root = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(curr_path, "../../../"))
-    path_list = [
-        os.path.join(proj_root, "vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.json")
-    ]
-    path_list = [p for p in path_list if os.path.exists(p)]
-    if not path_list:
-        raise RuntimeError(
-            "Error: vta_config.json not found.")
-    cfg = json.load(open(path_list[0]))
+    config_path = os.path.join(get_vta_hw_path(), "config/vta_config.json")
+    if not os.path.exists(config_path):
+        raise RuntimeError("Cannot find config in %s" % str(config_path))
+    cfg = json.load(open(config_path))
     return Environment(cfg)
 
 Environment.current = _init_env()
diff --git a/vta/python/vta/exec/rpc_server.py b/vta/python/vta/exec/rpc_server.py
index 81ecc52268eb..65c1274214e6 100644
--- a/vta/python/vta/exec/rpc_server.py
+++ b/vta/python/vta/exec/rpc_server.py
@@ -30,8 +30,7 @@
 from tvm.contrib import cc
 from vta import program_bitstream
 
-from ..environment import get_env
-from ..pkg_config import PkgConfig
+from ..environment import get_env, pkg_config
 from ..libinfo import find_libvta
 
 
@@ -101,7 +100,7 @@ def reconfig_runtime(cfg_json):
             raise RuntimeError("Can only reconfig in the beginning of session...")
         cfg = json.loads(cfg_json)
         cfg["TARGET"] = env.TARGET
-        pkg = PkgConfig(cfg, proj_root)
+        pkg = pkg_config(cfg)
         # check if the configuration is already the same
         if os.path.isfile(cfg_path):
             old_cfg = json.loads(open(cfg_path, "r").read())
diff --git a/vta/python/vta/libinfo.py b/vta/python/vta/libinfo.py
index 7a409e614879..3816e47c535b 100644
--- a/vta/python/vta/libinfo.py
+++ b/vta/python/vta/libinfo.py
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 import sys
 import os
 
+from .environment import get_vta_hw_path
+
 def _get_lib_name(lib_name):
     """Get lib name with extension
 
@@ -57,7 +59,7 @@ def find_libvta(lib_vta, optional=False):
     """
     curr_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(__file__)))
     lib_search = [os.path.join(curr_path, "..", "..", "..", "build",)]
-    lib_search += [os.path.join(curr_path, "..", "..", "vta-hw", "build")]
+    lib_search += [os.path.join(get_vta_hw_path(), "build")]
     lib_name = _get_lib_name(lib_vta)
     lib_path = [os.path.join(x, lib_name) for x in lib_search]
     lib_found = [x for x in lib_path if os.path.exists(x)]
diff --git a/vta/python/vta/testing/simulator.py b/vta/python/vta/testing/simulator.py
index d48bee80f47f..16827c4ab079 100644
--- a/vta/python/vta/testing/simulator.py
+++ b/vta/python/vta/testing/simulator.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def _load_sw():
 
     if env.TARGET == "tsim":
         lib_hw = find_libvta("libvta_hw", optional=True)
-        assert lib_hw # make sure to build vta/vta-hw/hardware/chisel
+        assert lib_hw # make sure to make in ${VTA_HW_PATH}/hardware/chisel
         try:
             f = tvm.get_global_func("vta.tsim.init")
             m = tvm.runtime.load_module(lib_hw[0], "vta-tsim")
diff --git a/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/CMakeLists.txt b/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/CMakeLists.txt
index 9222c1ee528a..f41a46706bdb 100644
--- a/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -18,13 +18,18 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.2)
 project(tsim C CXX)
 
-set(TVM_DIR ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../../../../)
-set(VTA_HW_DIR ${TVM_DIR}/3rdparty/vta-hw)
+if(NOT DEFINED ENV{TVM_PATH})
+    message(ERROR "Make sure to set TVM_PATH in your environment")
+endif()
+
+if(NOT DEFINED ENV{VTA_HW_PATH})
+    message(ERROR "Make sure to set VTA_HW_PATH in your environment")
+endif()
 
-include_directories("${TVM_DIR}/include")
-include_directories("${TVM_DIR}/3rdparty/dlpack/include")
-include_directories("${TVM_DIR}/3rdparty/dmlc-core/include")
-include_directories("${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/dpi")
+include_directories("$ENV{TVM_PATH}/include")
+include_directories("$ENV{TVM_PATH}/3rdparty/dlpack/include")
+include_directories("$ENV{TVM_PATH}/3rdparty/dmlc-core/include")
+include_directories("$ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/dpi")
 
 set(CMAKE_C_FLAGS "-O2 -Wall -fPIC -fvisibility=hidden")
 set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "-O2 -Wall -fPIC -fvisibility=hidden -std=c++11")
@@ -35,11 +40,11 @@ if (CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID MATCHES "GNU" AND
 endif()
 
 file(GLOB TSIM_SW_SRC src/driver.cc)
-list(APPEND TSIM_SW_SRC ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/vmem/virtual_memory.cc)
-list(APPEND TSIM_SW_SRC ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/dpi/module.cc)
+list(APPEND TSIM_SW_SRC $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/vmem/virtual_memory.cc)
+list(APPEND TSIM_SW_SRC $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/dpi/module.cc)
 
 add_library(sw SHARED ${TSIM_SW_SRC})
-target_include_directories(sw PRIVATE ${VTA_HW_DIR}/include ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src)
+target_include_directories(sw PRIVATE $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/include $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src)
 
 if(APPLE)
   set_target_properties(sw PROPERTIES LINK_FLAGS "-undefined dynamic_lookup")
diff --git a/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/Makefile b/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/Makefile
index 3b84778cb7c3..6bdebea69777 100644
--- a/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/Makefile
+++ b/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/Makefile
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 # under the License.
 
 export PYTHONPATH:=$(abspath .)/python:$(PYTHONPATH)
-export PYTHONPATH:=$(abspath .)/../../../../python:$(PYTHONPATH)
 
 BUILD_NAME = build
 build_dir = $(abspath .)/$(BUILD_NAME)
diff --git a/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/README.md b/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/README.md
index 2a17302641c9..bf7e1c1ade1e 100644
--- a/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/README.md
+++ b/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/README.md
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 
 VTA TSIM Application
 ======================
-Prior to this application, please take a look at `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example` for installation
+Prior to this application, please take a look at `<vta-hw-root>/apps/tsim_example` for installation
 This is an application that performs Bit Serial Multiplication for GEMM utilizing TSIM.
 
 **Bit Serial Multiplication for GEMM:**
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ We approach this operation with slicing and shifting, like how basic multiplicat
 We can sufficiently reduce the cycles required to perform a gemm given that the data bit width is small. This GEMM application uses TSIM for future accerlerator prototypes.
 
 * Test Chisel3 backend with bit serial GEMM
-    * Go to `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm`
+    * Go to `<vta-hw-root>/apps/gemm`
     * Run `make`
 
 * If you have already compiled chisel backend (i.e. ran `make`)
@@ -36,15 +36,15 @@ We can sufficiently reduce the cycles required to perform a gemm given that the
     * Bit parallel test with another input set, run `make parallel`
 
 * Some steps for creating your own custom TSIM application
-    * Go to `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm`
+    * Go to `<vta-hw-root>/apps/gemm`
     * Create custom circuit within `./hardware/chisel/src/scala.main/accel/Compute.scala`
     * Map the according Registers in `./hardware/chisel/src/scala.main/accel/RegFile.scala`
     * Create your test script
     * Map the registers in `./src/driver.cc` and link it with both `RegFile.scala` and the test script
-    * Understanding of `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example`, which performs add by one to a vector, is highly encouraged to create a more complex application
+    * Understanding of `<vta-hw-root>/apps/tsim_example`, which performs add by one to a vector, is highly encouraged to create a more complex application
 
 * Some pointers
-    * Chisel3 tests in `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/tests/python`
-    * Chisel3 accelerator backend `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/hardware/chisel`
-    * Software C++ driver (backend) that handles the accelerator `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/gemm/src/driver.cc`
-    * Software Python driver (frontend) that handles the accelerator `<tvm-root>vtay/vta-hw/apps/gemm/python/accel`
+    * Chisel3 tests in `<vta-hw-root>/apps/gemm/tests/python`
+    * Chisel3 accelerator backend `<vta-hw-root>/apps/gemm/hardware/chisel`
+    * Software C++ driver (backend) that handles the accelerator `<vta-hw-root>/apps/gemm/src/driver.cc`
+    * Software Python driver (frontend) that handles the accelerator `<vta-hw-root>/apps/gemm/python/accel`
diff --git a/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/CMakeLists.txt b/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/CMakeLists.txt
index 8ba86a32a18e..f41a46706bdb 100644
--- a/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -18,13 +18,18 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.2)
 project(tsim C CXX)
 
-set(TVM_DIR ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../../../../)
-set(VTA_HW_DIR ${TVM_DIR}/vta/vta-hw)
+if(NOT DEFINED ENV{TVM_PATH})
+    message(ERROR "Make sure to set TVM_PATH in your environment")
+endif()
+
+if(NOT DEFINED ENV{VTA_HW_PATH})
+    message(ERROR "Make sure to set VTA_HW_PATH in your environment")
+endif()
 
-include_directories("${TVM_DIR}/include")
-include_directories("${TVM_DIR}/3rdparty/dlpack/include")
-include_directories("${TVM_DIR}/3rdparty/dmlc-core/include")
-include_directories("${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/dpi")
+include_directories("$ENV{TVM_PATH}/include")
+include_directories("$ENV{TVM_PATH}/3rdparty/dlpack/include")
+include_directories("$ENV{TVM_PATH}/3rdparty/dmlc-core/include")
+include_directories("$ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/dpi")
 
 set(CMAKE_C_FLAGS "-O2 -Wall -fPIC -fvisibility=hidden")
 set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "-O2 -Wall -fPIC -fvisibility=hidden -std=c++11")
@@ -35,11 +40,11 @@ if (CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_ID MATCHES "GNU" AND
 endif()
 
 file(GLOB TSIM_SW_SRC src/driver.cc)
-list(APPEND TSIM_SW_SRC ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/vmem/virtual_memory.cc)
-list(APPEND TSIM_SW_SRC ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src/dpi/module.cc)
+list(APPEND TSIM_SW_SRC $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/vmem/virtual_memory.cc)
+list(APPEND TSIM_SW_SRC $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src/dpi/module.cc)
 
 add_library(sw SHARED ${TSIM_SW_SRC})
-target_include_directories(sw PRIVATE ${VTA_HW_DIR}/include ${VTA_HW_DIR}/src)
+target_include_directories(sw PRIVATE $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/include $ENV{VTA_HW_PATH}/src)
 
 if(APPLE)
   set_target_properties(sw PROPERTIES LINK_FLAGS "-undefined dynamic_lookup")
diff --git a/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/README.md b/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/README.md
index 6a9a3553bc32..07d984125610 100644
--- a/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/README.md
+++ b/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/README.md
@@ -72,16 +72,16 @@ The default target language for these two implementations is Verilog. The follow
 how to run both of them:
 
 * Test Verilog backend
-    * Go to `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example`
+    * Go to `<vta-hw-root>/apps/tsim_example`
     * Run `make`
 
 * Test Chisel3 backend
-    * Go to `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example`
+    * Go to `<vta-hw-root>/apps/tsim_example`
     * Run `make run_chisel`
 
 * Some pointers
-    * Verilog and Chisel3 tests in `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/tests/python`
-    * Verilog accelerator backend `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/hardware/verilog`
-    * Chisel3 accelerator backend `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/hardware/chisel`
-    * Software C++ driver (backend) that handles the accelerator `<tvm-root>/vta/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/src/driver.cc`
-    * Software Python driver (frontend) that handles the accelerator `<tvm-root>vtay/vta-hw/apps/tsim_example/python/accel`
+    * Verilog and Chisel3 tests in `<vta-hw-root>/apps/tsim_example/tests/python`
+    * Verilog accelerator backend `<vta-hw-root>/apps/tsim_example/hardware/verilog`
+    * Chisel3 accelerator backend `<vta-hw-root>/apps/tsim_example/hardware/chisel`
+    * Software C++ driver (backend) that handles the accelerator `<vta-hw-root>/apps/tsim_example/src/driver.cc`
+    * Software Python driver (frontend) that handles the accelerator `<vta-hw-root>/apps/tsim_example/python/accel`
diff --git a/vta/python/vta/pkg_config.py b/vta/vta-hw/config/pkg_config.py
similarity index 90%
rename from vta/python/vta/pkg_config.py
rename to vta/vta-hw/config/pkg_config.py
index 7c3af57c2202..9c57706e0274 100644
--- a/vta/python/vta/pkg_config.py
+++ b/vta/vta-hw/config/pkg_config.py
@@ -22,6 +22,22 @@
 
 import json
 import glob
+import os
+
+
+def get_vta_hw_path():
+    """Get the VTA HW path."""
+    curr_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(__file__)))
+    vta_hw_default = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(curr_path, ".."))
+    VTA_HW_PATH = os.getenv('VTA_HW_PATH', vta_hw_default)
+    return VTA_HW_PATH
+
+def get_tvm_path():
+    """Get the TVM path."""
+    curr_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(__file__)))
+    tvm_default = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(curr_path, "../../.."))
+    TVM_PATH = os.getenv('TVM_PATH', tvm_default)
+    return TVM_PATH
 
 class PkgConfig(object):
     """Simple package config tool for VTA.
@@ -32,9 +48,6 @@ class PkgConfig(object):
     ----------
     cfg : dict
         The config dictionary
-
-    proj_root : str
-        Path to the project root
     """
     cfg_keys = [
         "TARGET",
@@ -49,7 +62,7 @@ class PkgConfig(object):
         "LOG_ACC_BUFF_SIZE",
     ]
 
-    def __init__(self, cfg, proj_root):
+    def __init__(self, cfg):
 
         # Derived parameters
         cfg["LOG_BLOCK_IN"] = cfg["LOG_BLOCK"]
@@ -63,25 +76,29 @@ def __init__(self, cfg, proj_root):
         # Update cfg now that we've extended it
         self.__dict__.update(cfg)
 
+        # VTA_HW path and TVM_PATH
+        vta_hw_path = get_vta_hw_path()
+        tvm_path = get_tvm_path()
+
         # Include path
         self.include_path = [
-            "-I%s/include" % proj_root,
-            "-I%s/vta/vta-hw/include" % proj_root,
-            "-I%s/3rdparty/dlpack/include" % proj_root,
-            "-I%s/3rdparty/dmlc-core/include" % proj_root
+            "-I%s/include" % tvm_path,
+            "-I%s/include" % vta_hw_path,
+            "-I%s/3rdparty/dlpack/include" % tvm_path,
+            "-I%s/3rdparty/dmlc-core/include" % tvm_path
         ]
 
         # List of source files that can be used to build standalone library.
         self.lib_source = []
-        self.lib_source += glob.glob("%s/vta/vta-hw/src/*.cc" % proj_root)
+        self.lib_source += glob.glob("%s/src/*.cc" % vta_hw_path)
         if self.TARGET in ["pynq", "ultra96"]:
             # add pynq drivers for any board that uses pynq driver stack (see pynq.io)
-            self.lib_source += glob.glob("%s/vta/vta-hw/src/pynq/*.cc" % (proj_root))
+            self.lib_source += glob.glob("%s/src/pynq/*.cc" % vta_hw_path)
         elif self.TARGET in ["de10nano"]:
-            self.lib_source += glob.glob("%s/vta/vta-hw/src/de10nano/*.cc" % (proj_root))
+            self.lib_source += glob.glob("%s/src/de10nano/*.cc" % vta_hw_path)
             self.include_path += [
-                "-I%s/vta/vta-hw/src/de10nano" % proj_root,
-                "-I%s/3rdparty" % proj_root
+                "-I%s/src/de10nano" % vta_hw_path,
+                "-I%s/3rdparty" % tvm_path
             ]
 
         # Linker flags
diff --git a/vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.py b/vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.py
index 549ce0ad77af..3b840763d947 100644
--- a/vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.py
+++ b/vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.py
@@ -20,15 +20,17 @@
 import json
 import argparse
 
-def get_pkg_config(cfg):
-    """Get the pkg config object."""
-    curr_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(__file__)))
-    proj_root = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(curr_path, "../../../"))
-    pkg_config_py = os.path.join(proj_root, "vta/python/vta/pkg_config.py")
+
+def pkg_config(cfg):
+    """Returns PkgConfig pkg config object."""
+    pkg_config_py = os.path.join(
+            os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(__file__))),
+            "pkg_config.py"
+    )
     libpkg = {"__file__": pkg_config_py}
     exec(compile(open(pkg_config_py, "rb").read(), pkg_config_py, "exec"), libpkg, libpkg)
     PkgConfig = libpkg["PkgConfig"]
-    return PkgConfig(cfg, proj_root)
+    return PkgConfig(cfg)
 
 def main():
     """Main funciton"""
@@ -105,20 +107,13 @@ def main():
         parser.print_help()
         return
 
-    curr_path = os.path.dirname(
-        os.path.abspath(os.path.expanduser(__file__)))
-    proj_root = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(curr_path, "../../../"))
-    path_list = [
-        os.path.join(proj_root, "vta/vta-hw/config/vta_config.json")
-    ]
-    if args.use_cfg:
-        path_list = [args.use_cfg]
-    ok_path_list = [p for p in path_list if os.path.exists(p)]
-    if not ok_path_list:
-        raise RuntimeError("Cannot find config in %s" % str(path_list))
-    cfg = json.load(open(ok_path_list[0]))
-
-    pkg = get_pkg_config(cfg)
+    # Path to vta config
+    config_path = "vta_config.json"
+    if not os.path.exists(config_path):
+        raise RuntimeError("Cannot find config in %s" % str(config_path))
+    cfg = json.load(open(config_path))
+
+    pkg = pkg_config(cfg)
 
     if args.target:
         print(pkg.TARGET)