What if the vast and varied landscapes of Northwest Arkansas surrounded and thrived all around the future Walmart Home Office Campus, reversing the typical expectations of a corporate headquarters campus? Walmart as a corporation has always celebrated its hometown heritage, and so their mandate for the 350-acre campus follows that same instinct: to preserve native ecologies and highlight the natural beauty of Arkansas. The “Big Nature” landscape master plan envisions a seamless campus between Walmart associates and the local Bentonville community, set against the majesty of natural features native to Arkansas, to reinforce holistic well-being. Each corner of the campus invites in the complex mosaic of habitats found throughout the region and honors the distinctive cultures that have been an integral part of the company’s history.
From woodland to wetland features, “quads” of varying size, shape, and program blur the line between what is constructed for the corporation and what is created for the community. Extensive tree canopies, tranquil courtyards, and placid lakes with native plantings, locally sourced materials, and comprehensive stormwater management underscore Walmart’s commitment to sustainability. Outdoor spaces support workplace flexibility, while a cohesive network of streets, walkways, and bikeways connect the campus both internally and with the surrounding community of Bentonville. The resulting work environment promises to become an inclusive and seamless part of its surroundings, attracting future Walmart associates and visitors with its connections to the region’s unique local ecologies and the company’s standing in the world marketplace.
Peanut Plaza
One of the most dangerous intersections at the gateway into downtown Washington DC was targeted for significant improvement. Prompted by the demolition of a Wendy’s restaurant and new road alignments to ease traffic congestion, SWA/Balsley was hired to create a memorable new gateway experience and usable, inviting parks in the newly acquired public land. The t...
Burlingame Town Square
SWA partnered with the City of Burlingame to transform a surface parking lot into “The Grove,” a vibrant 1-acre community gathering space envisioned as downtown Burlingame’s outdoor living room. Blending urban functionality with engaging public amenities, the design features a grid of deciduous trees, a central glass-clad fountain with a cascading waterfall, c...
China Beach
China Beach acts as an amphitheater to take in the drama of the San Francisco Golden Gate: the ebb and flow of the wildlife, currents, tides, winds, fog, sun, surf, and marine traffic. Ultimately, this larger landscape and the landscape features of a refreshed beach terrace will be the defining experience for the visitor to China Beach. We are striving to prod...
Lite-On Headquarters
This major Taiwanese electronics company chose Taipei’s “Electronics Center” overlooking the Gee Long River for their new headquarters. The overall concept is of a 25-story slender tower rising above a sloped landscape podium that covers much of the site. Below-grade parking slopes toward the river on one side, with the urban center on the ot...