Together with members of the Walton family, BIG and Polk Stanley Wilcox have broken ground on the new Bentonville Institute of Technology in Northwest Arkansas. Extending downtown Bentonville onto the site of the former Walmart Home Office, the STEM-focused university’s first phase will encompass three buildings woven into a network of public plazas and greenspaces: a 133,272-sq-ft makerspace clad in weathering steel that houses workshops, labs, common areas, and a flexible forum; a 155,062-sq-ft academic building meant to foster dialogue between disciplines; and a student residential building carved around two generous outdoor courtyards. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be part of shaping what will be not only a new American academic institution, but also a vibrant new neighborhood in Bentonville. A place where students and citizens, faculty and professionals will mix and mingle, exploring new ways for education and business, academia and society to coexist and coevolve.” – Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director, BIG Bentonville Institute of Technology’s groundbreaking and name reveal were celebrated with a ceremony that included remarks by Tom and Steuart Walton, the institute’s President Dr. David Mazyck, and the superintendent of Bentonville Public Schools Dr. Debbie Jones. The school is slated to welcome its first undergraduate class in August 2029, with tuition expected to be fully covered.
