BIG to Design STEM University Campus for Walton Family in Bentonville

A new nonprofit university focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is set to be established in Bentonville, Arkansas, with Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) leading the architectural design. The initiative is backed by the Walton family, prominent figures associated with the Walmart dynasty.

The university aims to prepare students for a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancements. Polk Stanley Wilcox (PSW), an architectural firm with offices in Little Rock and Fayetteville, Arkansas, will serve as the architect of record. PSW has prior experience with Walton-funded educational projects, including the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine.

Campus Development

The new university campus will span approximately 422,000 square feet and is strategically located on the site of the former Walmart Home Office. This development follows the completion of Walmart’s new corporate headquarters, designed by Gensler and SWA, which became operational in 2025, freeing up the land for this educational endeavor.

According to BIG’s design statement, the campus masterplan includes three distinct buildings characterized by naturally weathered, reddish facades and “industrial forms.” The design emphasizes the integration of greenspaces and public squares throughout the campus, fostering a connection between the academic environment and the wider community.

Bridging Academia and Industry

Bjarke Ingels, founder of BIG, highlighted the university’s mission to address the common disconnect between academic learning and the professional world. “For the new campus, we have sought to break down the boundaries between campus and community through a lively new integrated neighborhood for faculty and citizens alike,” Ingels stated.

The campus will house an academic building, student residences, and a dedicated makerspace. This makerspace is envisioned as a dynamic hub for “physical experimentation and rapid prototyping,” intended to be visible to the public and showcase a culture of innovation. BIG hopes this integration will enhance the accessibility of higher education, both academically and socially.

Architectural Features

The academic building is designed with a spacious open atrium, providing natural light through clerestories to various study areas, classrooms, laboratories, and offices. The architectural style is intended to evoke the “Ozark vernacular architecture,” incorporating elements like a “dogtrot breezeway” and stacked forms reminiscent of traditional log houses found in Northwest Arkansas.

The student residence building features a unique figure-eight floor plan. It includes two elevated courtyards situated above a dining hall and shared amenity spaces. The orientation of the building is planned to maximize natural light in the courtyards, with one receiving ample morning sun and the other enjoying generous afternoon light.

Key facts

The Waltons plan to welcome the university’s inaugural class of students in 2029. In a significant move to promote accessibility, the family has also committed to covering tuition for all students during the university’s initial year of operation. This project represents a substantial investment in the future of STEM education and aims to foster a new generation of innovators in a region increasingly influenced by technology and design.

Source: The Architect’s Newspaper – https://www.archpaper.com/2026/06/big-polk-stanley-wilcox-bentonville-arkansas/