The state of Arkansas is 58% covered in forest and possesses a timber economy of demonstrable national value. It is also growing two trees for each one that is harvested. The University of Arkansas has steadily built a value-added timber and wood products approach to both its design education and campus architectural commissions, invigorating the “forest economy “ of the state and the “low-carbon” dimension of the design programs. Aided by a parallel commitment and investment from its regional neighbour, Walmart, the University of Arkansas is now a national leader in low-carbon design education and campus design and construction.

We’ll hear from the Arkansas team embracing low-carbon design education and timber construction technology and harnessing it within the built assets of the campus, saving the University of Arkansas money and delivering on the administration’s commitment to sustainable design. Through three successive projects, growing in value and complexity, the team will show how timber design and construction was adopted as their go-to architectural material. The 2023 AR Future Projects overall winner, the Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation, designed by Grafton Architects for the Fay Jones School, is the prominent, emblematic example of the University’s commitment to the “forest to campus” initiative.