University of Arkansas Opens Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research

The University of Arkansas opened the Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I³R) in August of 2025 on its Fayetteville campus. Designed by HGA and Hufft, the $137.6 million facility will accelerate cross-disciplinary research to foster convergence across the public and private sectors and address pressing problems in domains such as medicine, food systems, and cyber technologies. The 144,000-sf building accommodates five wings. Dedicated areas for human health and bioscience are accompanied by a preclinical and surgical innovation wing that includes environments for animal research. The digital transformation wing provides labs for virtual reality and computer simulation, and the advanced manufacturing and prototyping center offers a machine shop and maker space. 

Integrating a flexible lab chassis, the three-level structure prioritizes adaptability in response to evolving scientific needs. Core labs, instrumentation suites, and advanced equipment can be accessed by researchers from across the university and industry partners. A vibrant atrium and central staircase promote informal exchange through shared gathering spaces and circulation routes, with abundant illumination supplied via skylights in the mass timber canopy above. Expansive collaboration zones on each level are accompanied by open office clusters and conference rooms. 

Targeting LEED Silver, the biophilic development leverages chilled beams and energy recovery systems to exceed performance benchmarks by 32 percent. Embodied carbon is reduced by the incorporation of exposed glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT). CDI Contractors was the general contractor, with Affiliated Engineers, Inc. (AEI) as MEP engineer and Development Consultants, Inc (DCI) as civil engineer. The project team also included Acentech, Jensen Hughes, Entegrity, CharterSills, SLR Consulting, and Global Prairie. Ground was broken in April of 2022.