Duda|Paine Architects has once again demonstrated its commitment to innovative and transformative wellness design with the completion of the Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness project in Bentonville, Arkansas. The two-story, 360,000-square-foot building is projected to be LEED Platinum and was designed to meet Walmart’s vision to empower associates to take charge of their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness reflects Duda|Paine’s expertise in helping forward-looking clients push the boundaries of health and wellness facility design and programming. By blending state-of-the-art architecture with a holistic approach to well-being, centered on individual initiative, the project goes beyond conventional recreation, aquatics, and fitness facilities by incorporating versatile spaces for self-care, community, and family interaction. From spaces for group activities to health nodes for individual reflection, the project connects its visitors to nature and each other. The design allows its users to pause, notice, and choose from a range of fitness, educational, and mind-body activities, and experiences.
“At Duda|Paine Architects, we continue to help inspired clients shape new frontiers on how we define wellness,” said Turan Duda, FAIA, Founding Principal of the firm. “Clients for these projects, like Walmart, all seek to do things that haven’t been done before, creating new buildings and spaces that expand how we achieve wellbeing.”
“Wellness design involves a collaboration between program and design,” said Amanda Cronick, AIA, Associate Principal at Duda|Paine. “Together with our clients, we are helping people activate their own path to wellness.”
With a collective belief that sustainability is the baseline for wellness, Duda|Paine incorporated sustainable features throughout the project. Abundant natural light, an energy-efficient building envelope with high-performance glass, energy recovery systems, and locally sourced materials are among the strategies used.
