Case Study: Alice L. Walton School of Medicine
CUSTOMER
Owner: Art + Welness Enterprises
GC: Crossland Construction
MC: Comfort Systems USA
LOCATION
Bentonville, AR
SERVICES PROVIDED
BAS
CASE STUDY
ES2 partnered with Art + Wellness Enterprises, Crossland Construction, and Comfort Systems USA to deliver a comprehensive Building Automation System (BAS) solution for the new Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. The state-of-the-art facility required an intelligent, fully integrated HVAC controls system to support a modern medical education environment focused on wellness, sustainability, and long-term operational efficiency. ES2’s BAS Controls team furnished Automated Logic’s WebCTRL Building Automation System designed to simplify facility operations while delivering an intelligent, comfortable, and healthy indoor environment for students, faculty, and staff.
The mission behind the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine played an important role in shaping the project’s goals. As stated by the school, “Alice L. Walton School of Medicine is reshaping medical education with a focus on whole health and making meaningful change in the community” (Source: alwmedschool.org). ES2’s role was to support that vision by implementing an energy-efficient HVAC control system that enhances occupant comfort, simplifies operation of the facility’s highly complex mechanical systems for ownership and facility staff, and provides reliable environmental control, improved energy performance, and long-term operational flexibility.
One of the most unique aspects of the project was the complexity of the chilled water plant and HVAC systems. The facility includes two air-cooled chiller systems that require dynamic chilled-water plant controls and advanced sequencing strategies. One of the chillers is a Dedicated Heat Recovery Chiller (DHRC), capable of meeting the building’s heating load. This allows the facility to reduce its reliance on traditional gas-fired boilers, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs. An additional system seamlessly integrated into the WebCTRL system is the underground parking garage equipped with a gas detection system. The BAS continuously monitors NO₂ and CO levels from vehicle emissions and automatically alarms and activates ventilation systems when elevated gas levels are detected, helping maintain a safe environment for occupants.
The project presented several challenges, particularly due to the building’s unique architectural design. The ES2 team utilized detailed planning, strategic coordination, and BAS engineering expertise to successfully navigate installation complexities and system integration requirements. Close collaboration with the owner, general contractor, and mechanical contractor was essential throughout the project to ensure all systems were implemented effectively and aligned with the overall building design and operational goals.
This installation required specialized BAS controls expertise, including advanced HVAC controls integration, dynamic chilled-water plant sequencing, heat-recovery system controls, and gas detection and ventilation automation. Through careful programming, commissioning, and system coordination, ES2 delivered a highly functional, easy-to-operate automation system tailored to the facility's needs.
Through rigorous programming, commissioning, and cross-functional coordination with the project teams, ES2 successfully delivered a highly functional asset tailored to the school's exact needs. The finalized BAS provides the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine with an energy-efficient, resilient infrastructure. This project demonstrates that innovative automation technology can seamlessly align with a client's broader mission to promote wellness, education, and long-term sustainability.
📞 Contact ES2 to explore how we can help modernize your facility, cut energy costs, and create more comfortable environments (479) 595-0910.
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