University of Arkansas - Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (i3R)

A Collaboration Hub for Innovation and Discovery

The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I³R) was founded on a dual mandate to advance research excellence and impact economic development. The building will serve as a hub with connected spokes to other locations that broaden the institute’s reach and impact.

The flexible 144,000 SF state-of-the-art facility fosters interdisciplinary research, economic development, and translational efforts to solve the grand challenges of today – protecting human health; understanding the food, energy, water nexus; exploring the universe at all scales.

The new building not only accommodates up to 30 faculty members and their research teams, but also offers ample space for collaboration with industry partners. Several new shared core facilities including a Calorimeter, an MRI, a Maker Space, and Visualization Lab will also be a draw for faculty across campus and regional businesses.

Structurally, the building is conceived as a vibration sensitive steel laboratory bar hugged by a mass timber pavilion. Both structural materials hold significance for the region and the introduction of timber provides an ideal backdrop for welcoming the community. At the center of the building is the striking architecturally exposed mass timber pavilion, constructed of southern yellow pine glulam and CLT.