The idea for Ledger stemmed from a growing need for a modern, flexible workplace in the heart of the city. It would double as a city centre for the wider community: a natural extension of Bentonville’s culture.

The building needed to feature:

• A variety of flexible lease options and office settings for companies large and small

• Shared spaces for the public to socialise or work in

• Bookable rooms, places for casual collaboration, private areas, and more

• Retail space

• Gathering spaces, both indoor and outdoor

• Unparalleled design and architecture

The resulting six-storey, 21,400 square-metre work and community hub features all of the above across a large variety of settings designed for flexibility– both in terms of future-proofing as needs change and for the many ways people work and visit the space throughout a given day.

A gently sloped path zigzags up the building, making Ledger the world’s only completely bikeable multi-storey office building. This 1,200-metre ramp connects to a regional network of cycle paths and trails and makes all six floors of the building completely accessible.

Flexible design for a dynamic crowd

The architecture firm Callaghan Horiuchi designed the Ledger interiors for long- and short- term leases, with turnkey options available. Individuals can also pop in for the day, and the wider community is welcome to come in to work, shop, and eat in select spaces throughout the building.

Custom and private offices, shared workplaces, bookable rooms, as well as the bike ramp, local art, shops and a café pepper its six floors. It offers “more places to work, play and gather in the city centre”.

Because of the vast types of workstyles and groups of people coming in and out, the designers needed to prioritise flexibility. They selected MillerKnoll (together with Little Rock, Arkansas MillerKnoll dealer EVO) as a furniture partner to help achieve a holistic, research-backed, “no one size fits all” approach with a kit-of-parts solution.

“MillerKnoll really helped with the idea that you don’t have to change walls and doors and fully remodel floors,” said Haruka Horiuchi, partner at Callaghan Horiuchi. "You can embed a certain amount [of flexibility] into the infrastructure and then play with the function depending on what people want and what the market asks of you."

Callaghan Horiuchi collaborated with MillerKnoll on a pilot project to test designs and furniture configurations in a 465 square-metre space to see what worked and what needed tweaking. MillerKnoll used Live Design to bring potential layouts to life virtually and on demand so the team could more easily achieve their desired outcomes – and save time and money.

Together with Callaghan Horiuchi, MillerKnoll also helped market leases and boost occupancy rates by showing potential tenants how their space could be tailored to their preferences, easily reconfigured as their needs evolve, and completely overhauled from a previous tenant’s furniture layout. Design changes are achievable with minimal disruption in terms of time and cost, as the kit-of-parts is comprised of pieces ready for reconfiguration as business needs evolve.

An enhanced office experience

The design team wanted to create a space that worked as a “dynamic composite of unique programming, rather than a series of monotonous corridors and offices filled with generic furniture”, according to Callaghan Horiuchi.

To achieve this, they created environments to support physical, psychological, and social wellbeing– “spaces that promote human vitality”.

The inherent flexibility and sheer variety of spaces promotes connection. As people move, work and socialise across brainstorming lounges, phone booths, wellness rooms, a game lounge, kitchens, bar areas, and more. Plants and greenery abound, so tenants and guests enjoy the benefits of biophilia.

For bike commuters, each floor offers a shower, and on the ground level, a cyclers’ “refresh lounge” provides a transitional place to land before starting the workday.

Each dedicated outdoor space features furniture to encourage people to socialise or work outside. Indoors, people enjoy ergonomic chairs, and Herman Miller’s Renew Sit-Stand Tables further promote wellness and encourage different modes of working.

The design team had their pick of MillerKnoll’s collective of brands – easily achieving goals by pulling from a large offering to meet every need, whether aesthetic, functional, or price-related.

“When MillerKnoll came into play, they educated the client on how well-designed, iconic, commercial-grade furniture affects how people feel and their productivity,” said Christian Callaghan, partner at Callaghan Horiuchi.

The settings within Ledger feature pieces from Herman Miller, Knoll, Muuto, HAY, Geiger, NaughtOne and more. Each selection, from seating to ancillary pieces, was made with the goal of giving the community a place to connect and feel inspired. The furnishings were also intended to signal an elevated workplace experience – with fabrics and finishes carefully curated to be warm and welcoming.

A new hub for the community

The design team drew inspiration from the neighbouring park and the city at large by carefully selecting rich materials and vibrant hues to create a serene atmosphere. The whole space aligns with the local culture and its emphasis on cycling, nature, and art.

Some amenities in the building – including the café and bike ramp – are open to the public. “You continually see children and families going up the bike path in the middle of office days,” Horiuchi said. Amidst coworkers chatting, those stepping out to take a call, and visitors enjoying sweeping views, the path has become a landmark destination.

The sixth floor boasts an event space that hosts weddings and parties, and the rooftop terrace is a sunrise yoga venue. Ledger and Callaghan Horiuchi also worked closely with a local curator, Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange, to include work by local artists with conference rooms named after them.

“I think everybody who walks into the building now is just amazed, and it really has been a catalyst for change in terms of workplace and design,” Callaghan said.