Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains lies Bentonville, Arkansas. It’s the “mountain biking capital of the world”—home to a community of biking and nature enthusiasts and lovers of the arts. It’s also an international business destination.

The idea for Ledger stemmed from a growing need for a modern, flexible workplace in the downtown area. It would double as a city center for the 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 socialize or work

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

• Retail space

• Gathering spaces, both inside and out

• Unparalleled design and architecture

The resulting six-story, 230,000 square-foot 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-story office building. This 3,900-foot ramp connects to a regional network of bike 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 interiors of Ledger for long- and short- term leases, with turnkey options available. Individuals can also pop in for the day, and the larger community is welcome to come work, shop, and eat in select spaces throughout the building.

Custom and private offices, shared workplaces, reservable rooms, as well as the bike ramp, local art, stores, and a coffee shop pepper its six floors. It offers “more places to work, play, and gather in the heart of downtown Bentonville.”

Because of the vast types of workstyles and groups of people coming in and out, the designers needed to prioritize 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 5,000 square-foot 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 drive occupancy rates by showing potential tenants how their space could be tailored to their preferences, easily reconfigured as their needs evolved, and completely overhauled from a previous tenant’s furniture layout. Design changes are possible with minimal disruptions by way 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 socialize across brainstorming lounges, phone booths, wellness rooms, a game lounge, kitchens, bar areas, and more. Ample 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 cycler’s “refresh lounge” provides a transitional place to land before starting the workday.

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

The design team had their pick from MillerKnoll’s collective of brands—easily achieving goals by pulling from a large offering that meets ample needs, whether they be aesthetic, functional, or cost-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 took inspiration from the neighboring park and Bentonville at large by carefully selecting rich materials and vibrant hues to create a serene atmosphere. The whole space falls in line with the local culture and its emphasis on biking, nature, and art.

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

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

“I think everybody that 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.