Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness, Bentonville, Arkansas: Photo Tour

Healthcare Design Magazine

Dec 16, 2024

 

Large transparent glass walls at the south entrance invite visitors inside. The exposed structural roof, crafted from cross-laminated timber supported by steel beams, adds warmth and texture to the promenade and double-height porch.

Members arriving at the center enter a 2-story circular rotunda known as the commons. This space features clerestory windows and a large birch tree.

The materiality of the commons is carried into a circulation spine known as the promenade. Seating areas throughout the building are designed to encourage users to pause, notice, and choose from a range of activities and experiences.
The aquatics area features three indoor pools—lap, activity, and multipurpose—each illuminated by natural light from clerestory windows. The cross-laminated timber ceiling adds warmth, while acoustic panels in blue and white tones ensure sound control in this expansive space.
An observation bridge spans the swimming area, providing a vantage point for parents to observe their family members taking lessons or playing. Throughout the building, windows are strategically placed along circulation paths to allow visitors to view activities they might otherwise miss.
 

The blue-toned palette of the aquatics node is complemented by warm wood panels that form the stair structure and seating areas. Artistic interpretations of water droplets and curved light fixtures evoke the natural movement of water.

 

Indoor sport courts accommodate a variety of activities, including pickleball, tennis, basketball, and volleyball.

 

A community network of walking trails integrates the center with the surrounding landscape. High-performance concrete panels, metal panel, and glass facades are accentuated by aluminum fins and extrusions which shade the building from sun exposure.

 

The façade features terra cotta-colored panels and glass, with extrusions shading southern-facing openings from the afternoon sun.

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