Fourteen planning firms have joined the Walton Family Foundation’s (WFF) Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program, bringing the roster of firms to nearly 80 architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and planning firms.
The Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program promotes the highest level of design in the development of future public buildings and spaces in Benton and Washington counties. Notable program projects include TheatreSquared, Railyard Park and Thaden School, all of which have won countless awards, including the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) NY Design Merit Award and Regional and Urban Design Award, American Architecture Award, AIA NY Institutional Honor Award and more.
“We know that planning is the foundation of good design. By expanding the program to include planning professionals, this program will help Northwest Arkansas become one of the most vibrant and inclusive communities in the nation,” said Meredith Bergstrom, Walton Family Foundation senior program officer. “With the addition of these firms, we look forward to selecting projects that cast a vision for welcoming public space throughout the region.”
The 14 firms include:
- APD Urban Planning + Management, Atlanta, Ga.
- Brooks + Scarpa, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Crafton Tull, Rogers, Ark.
- David Baker Architects, Birmingham, Ala.
- Field Operations, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Henning Larsen, New York, N.Y.
- Interface Studio Architects LLC, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Kronberg Urbanists + Architects, Atlanta, Ga.
- MBL Planning, Fayetteville, Ark.
- McCann Adams Studio, Austin, Texas
- Snøhetta, New York, N.Y.
- TEN x TEN Landscape Architecture + Urbanism, Minneapolis, Minn.
- TSW, Tulsa, Okla.
- Yard & Company, Cincinnati, Ohio
Along with the addition of firms, WFF also announced that Julie Bargmann, a renowned landscape architect, would be joining the Design Excellence Selection Committee. Bargmann is known for her innovative approach to regenerative design and interdisciplinary education.
As the founding principal of D.I.R.T. Studio, Bargmann’s projects have garnered international acclaim for their transformative impact on neglected landscapes. Her commitment to sustainability and community engagement is exemplified in her portfolio. This includes the revitalization of industrial relics and the creation of interpretative parks on former toxic sites.
“Julie’s commitment to regenerative design aligns with our program’s mission to elevate standards of sustainability and resilience,” Bergstrom said. “With Julie’s expertise, we look forward to selecting projects that enhance the built environment and inspire positive social and environmental change.”
Bargmann graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design. Her work has been recognized by institutions such as the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt Museum and featured in prominent media outlets like TIME, CNN and Newsweek. She’s also a recipient of the prestigious Oberlander Prize.
For more information about the Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence program, click here.
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