University of Arkansas Opens Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation

The University of Arkansas opened the Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation in August of 2025 in Fayetteville. Designed by Grafton Architects and Modus Studio, the 44,763-sf facility will enable the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design to advance the discovery and development of innovative timber construction modalities. The six-story development features an 11,000-sf high bay zone for fabrication and design-build activities, connected to teaching spaces above by a central atrium. The upper floors offer seminar and conference venues, classrooms, and flexible studios for up to 125 students, as well as a multipurpose lecture hall and an exhibition gallery. Integrating over 62,000 cubic feet of Arkansas timber, the $43 million building acts as a teaching tool by displaying a variety of exposed wood materials in the envelope and structure. 

Maker spaces are equipped with advanced instrumentation, including a five-axis CNC router, a 3D printing suite, articulated robotic arms, large-format laser and waterjet cutters, and a gantry crane with a capacity of five tons. Environments for hands-on learning include areas for wood and metal fabrication, plus an external fabrication yard.

Seeking LEED Gold certification, the sustainable project integrates extensive glazing to maximize access to natural light, complemented by a cascading roof with glulam rain gutters. Nabholz Corporation was the general contractor for the center. The engineering team comprised Affiliated Engineers, Inc. (AEI), Whitby Wood, Tatum Smith Welcher Engineers, Development Consultants Inc (DCI), and Atelier Ten. Other team members included Holzpak, Mercer Mass Timber, TM Light, Ground Control Collaborative, and DOXA/VANTAGE. Ground was broken in November of 2021.