The Alice L. Walton Foundation announced on November 12, 2025, that global design firm CannonDesign and environment architecture firm EDSA have been selected to design its future Bentonville Health Care Campus. The 100-acre site, located approximately two miles east of downtown Bentonville, will house a campus focused on whole health care, integrating physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The project is part of a $700 million, 30-year collaboration between the Foundation and Mercy, with Cleveland Clinic contributing cardiovascular expertise. The design emphasizes a departure from traditional clinical buildings toward a fully integrated environment that enhances accessibility and wellness through nature-based design.
Design Vision Rooted in Whole Health
“Our innovative partnership focused on bringing world-class specialty care to our region needs equally innovative design partners,” said Alice Walton, founder and philanthropist. “They bring to this project an understanding of whole health and how our environment and interactions influence our health and well-being.” The proposed design incorporates Living-Centered Design principles, which explore how places can support healthier lives and stronger communities. CannonDesign’s Project Executive and Health Practice Leader, PJ Glasco, emphasized the project’s potential to address interconnected health needs at an unprecedented scale.
The campus will feature a Center for Advanced Specialty Care as part of its initial phase, along with a parking garage, central utility building, and extensive landscaping. Arkansas-based Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects serves as the local architect of record, with Flintco Construction as construction manager and Walter P. Moore handling civil engineering. The first section is planned to open in December 2028, accessible via Central Avenue and McCollum Drive, adjacent to Interstate 49.
Nature, Art, and Architecture as Healers
EDSA’s Principal Gregg Sutton described the design as an effort to create spaces that “feel alive, connect people to nature, and inspire healing.” The environment strategy integrates water features that manage stormwater while serving as wellness amenities. Natural materials like wood, stone, glass, and metal harmonize with curated art and flowing water to support both physical and emotional well-being. The goal is for the campus to feel less like a treatment facility and more like a place to live well, with green spaces opening to the community and trails linking contemplative areas within.
The project aligns with broader initiatives in Bentonville, including the Heartland Whole Health Institute and the Alice L. These organizations, located on the Crystal Bridges Campus nearby, aim to transform care delivery and reduce costs, with the health care campus serving as a model for replication nationwide.
Partners and Construction Timeline
The firm recently completed the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine building, bringing regional expertise to the design process. Flintco Construction manages construction, while Nabholz handles large-scale campus development. Walter P. Moore provides civil engineering services, ensuring the infrastructure supports the campus’s sustainability goals.
Foundation’s Mission to Strengthen Communities
The Alice L. Walton Foundation is dedicated to enhancing quality of life by expanding access to resources that promote well-being and build inclusive communities. Its work centers on philanthropist Alice Walton’s commitment to advancing access to the arts, improving educational outcomes, and supporting health and economic opportunities for all. Through these efforts, the foundation aims to create lasting positive change for individuals and communities most in need. Learn more at Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. These collaborations reflect a shared vision of integrating wellness, learning, and community development to address systemic challenges.
Broader Health Ecosystem in Bentonville
It connects to the Heartland Whole Health Institute, founded by Alice Walton in 2019, which aims to reform care delivery and payment models. The Institute partners with the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, which opened in July 2025 to train physicians in whole health principles. Mercy serves as the school’s primary teaching partner.
The Foundation’s collaboration with Mercy, a multi-state health system serving millions annually, supports a model that could be replicated nationwide. In fiscal year 2025, Mercy provided over half a billion dollars in free care and community benefits, showing its commitment to accessible health care.
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