Overview: Building Innovation and Sustainable Design
The Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation, spearheaded by the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, highlights Arkansas’s timber industry and its role in wood product research and development. Made possible by a transformative gift from John Ed and Isabel Anthony and matched by university and state funds, the center focuses on innovation in timber design, sustainable construction, and material research. This 41,000-square-foot, four-story structure will house classrooms, studios, and research facilities, including a state-of-the-art fabrication lab and a graduate program in timber and wood design. Positioned in the Art and Design District on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the center underscores the university’s commitment to sustainability and design excellence, complementing existing facilities like Vol Walker Hall.
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning Grafton Architects in collaboration with Fayetteville’s modus studio, the center is a “Story Book of Timber,” showcasing Arkansas-sourced materials and innovative mass timber construction. It will also advance interdisciplinary collaboration, incorporating a shared landscape with other facilities in the district. The building’s cascading roof and sustainable features embody best practices in architecture while addressing Arkansas’s unique climate. The center’s construction began in fall 2023, and it will stand as a beacon for the state’s timber industry and design innovation.
Vision and Legacy: Leading the Future of Design
The Anthony Timberlands Center represents the Fay Jones School’s forward-looking vision of a humane, beautiful, and enduring built environment. Designed through an international competition, the project selected Grafton Architects for their exemplary design that balances utility with poetic beauty. Their approach uses Arkansas-sourced timber creatively while adhering to a strict budget and sustainable practices. The center fosters innovation in wood design and affordable housing while contributing to the broader mission of the University of Arkansas to serve its community and environment.
Educationally, the center emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, linking the natural and built environments. It stands as a landmark for design excellence, sustainability, and collaboration, reflecting the Fay Jones School’s commitment to architectural leadership and its land-grant mission. The project, scheduled for completion in 2025, will further Arkansas’s role as a leader in timber innovation and sustainable building practices.