Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Innovation

The Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation was conceived as a “Story Book of Timber”, a building where wood is both the structure and the enclosure. It brings together design, construction innovation, and a deep commitment to sustainability. Using a wide range of softwood and hardwood species, the project highlights the versatility of timber and rethinks its role in contemporary architecture. Heavy timber columns and glulam beams form the primary structure, while wood cladding and large areas of glass create a building that is open, honest, and grounded in material craft.

The building’s form responds directly to Fayetteville’s climate. Its cascading roof moderates sunlight, channels rainwater through integrated glulam gutters, and helps move air through covered exterior and interior spaces. Generous overhangs and tall glazing bring daylight deep into the building while reducing heat gain. Environmental performance is not applied afterward – it shapes the building’s orientation, section, and overall profile from the start.

At the center of the project is a tall atrium that connects a large fabrication shop on the ground level with teaching and critique spaces above. This visual and physical connection reinforces the relationship between making and learning. Students and faculty can see work happening across levels, strengthening collaboration and shared experience. Upper-level spaces overlook both the shop and the surrounding landscape, tying education to place.

Located at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Lt. Col. Leroy Pond Avenue, the building serves as a visible marker for the university and the city of Fayetteville. During the day, its timber structure is clearly expressed while at night, it glows from within. More than a facility, the Anthony Timberlands Center is a working demonstration of how timber can shape sustainable, forward-looking architecture.