Two U of A Projects Honored at Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Banquet

Two U of A capital projects were recognized at a Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce award ceremony for their significant positive impact to campus and the Fayetteville community.

The Construction/Developers Award Banquet on Oct. 25 recognized construction achievements in the city over the past year. The university's completed structures at the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) and the Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation were each selected for distinguished awards for their trailblazing efforts in research spaces in the categories below.

Innovation in Materials Award

View of Anthony Timberlands Center from the east side. (Timothy Hursley)

The Anthony Timberlands Center was recognized for its commitment to utilizing Arkansas' natural resources in its construction. Approximately 60% of the project's timber is southern yellow pine native to the state.

The building is represented as both a symbol and a tool for innovative construction materials, demonstrating how leaders in architecture are not limited to exporting materials from other states and/or countries but can effectively employ local industry, climate and culture into their designs.

The Anthony Timberlands Center was also the overall winner of The Architectural Review's 2023 Future Project awards.

Anthony Timberlands continues to be an unprecedented accomplishment for higher education research infrastructure.

Discovery and Research Excellence Award

The Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research on the U of A campus.

The I³R facility received immense praise for its multi-faceted research spaces, enabling the highest level of scientific exploration.

With a primary goal of encouraging collaboration across departments, I³R creates a building that supports both a bright and welcoming environment for 30 interdisciplinary research teams to share and a pristine atmosphere for study and research progress.

Located right on Dickson Street, I³R showcases the university's dedication to groundbreaking research and its devotion to its students and faculty who are driving those research initiatives forward.

Chosen by a committee of 12 industry leaders, the projects honored for award selection at the Construction/Developers ceremony showcase their organization's level of expertise in designing and constructing significant buildings in Northwest Arkansas.

The university's two selections are a tribute to the excellence displayed by U of A Facilities Management, its design and construction partners, the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, and I³R.