the Momentary

Conceived as a “younger, grittier sister” to Crystal Bridges, the project reimagines the former Kraft factory just south of downtown Bentonville – retaining as much of the existing building and site as feasible while introducing more refined interventions where it matters most.

The site is organized along a clear network of primary walks that extend the city’s pedestrian and trail systems into the venue, reinforcing connectivity at both the local and regional scale. These 16-foot-wide concrete paths, accented with colored bands and weathering steel, establish a legible circulation framework while defining outdoor “rooms” that support a mix of programmed and informal uses. Accessibility is embedded throughout, with generous, continuous routes designed to support all users and encourage movement through the site.

Stormwater strategies are integrated directly into this framework, shaping both performance and experience. Existing paving was selectively preserved and cut to introduce linear planters that capture runoff across the site. French drains convey water to bioswales and rain gardens, where it is slowed, filtered and returned to Town Branch Creek – turning infrastructure into a visible, working landscape. Reinforced granite trails for walking and biking meander along these systems, supporting multimodal access while accommodating fire lanes and event infrastructure.

Flexible outdoor spaces, including a large lawn capable of seating over 4,000, create opportunities for gathering, performance, and everyday use, supporting a more active public realm. Native and naturalistic plantings soften the industrial framework, reducing maintenance while reinforcing the sense of a site being incrementally reclaimed over time. Together, these moves position The Momentary as both a destination and a connective piece of the city – linking architecture, landscape, and infrastructure into a cohesive, evolving system.

photography: ©Timothy Hurlsey