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Article on Bell and the Water Garden for Goodnight Raleigh. |
RICHARD (DICK) BELL, FASLA, FAAR (1928-) By Danielle Carr Born and raised by two generations of gardeners in Manteo NC, Dick Bell first came to Raleigh to attend NCSU studying landscape architecture. As a student, he assisted with the actual master plan of the University. He graduated in 1950 and, at age 21, was the youngest person ever to receive the prestigious Rome Prize Fellowship for study at the American Academy in Rome for two years. He apprenticed under Simonds & Simonds in Pittsburgh PA and Fred Stressau in Fort Lauderdale FL before returning to Raleigh to start his practice. Over 50 years, he designed many important area projects, including:
Pullen Park, Raleigh Bell did landscape design on several Modernist houses, including:
The Kistler-Hollstein House, Fayetteville, designed by
Dan MacMillan Bell was the first recipient of the Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement from the NC Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and a recipient of the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance in 2000. In the 1970's, Bell served as president of the North Carolina Land Use Congress, as a member of the Raleigh-Wake Land Use Code Committee, as a member of the Wake County Planning Board, and as a member of the NCTask Force for Environmental Education. He lives in Atlantic Beach NC and continues his landscape practice. His book is The Bridge Builders. 
 NCSU Brickyard, Raleigh. Meredith College, Raleigh. |
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Pullen Park, Raleigh. |
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Bell began building the Water Garden, one of Raleigh's first mixed-use developments, on 11 acres in 1955. At a time when "environmentally sensitive" was rarely mentioned, Bell created a place to live and work. From here grew one of the most substantial practices of landscape architecture in North Carolina. He also used the Water Garden as a living example of his belief that buildings should tread lightly upon the land and exist in harmony with the natural terrain and natural resources. Tucked among the stately hardwoods and pines, nestled with, rather than against, the landscape's natural grade and carefully preserved wetlands, Water Garden's contemporary buildings have always been completely at ease in their environment. Unable to maintain the buildings, Bell sold the property in 2007 to Nick Francis and Matt Somner who plan to redevelop it into a senior active residential community.    1977 - The Tom and Jo Anne Rose House, 2012 North Lakeshore Lane, Chapel Hill. Bell did the house design and the landscape design. Built by Security Building Company. Sold in 2012 to Elizabeth and Jeff Stringer.  1988 - The Daniel and Claudia Pitt House, 20 Harvey Place, Durham. Bell did the house design and the landscape design. Built by Leon Meyers. As of 2012 owned by Brenda Nevidjon and Benjamin Staples.
Around
1983 - The Quentin and June Bell House, address unknown, Manteo NC. Designed for Bell's brother and his wife.
Contemporary house.
Around
1990 - Multi-family-Townhouses (three separate/individual developments within the Country Club) - Pembrooke Ridge Court, Warwicke Place and one other in Bermuda Run Country Club, NC. Daughter Sharon Glazener collaborated with Bell on the design of the townhouses along with David Bennett of Triangle Residential Designs.
Around 1976 - Master Plan Development, Landscape Design and Conceptual Architectural Design for the Multi-family-Townhouses located in 8&1/2 Marina Village, Atlantic Beach, NC with James Willis as the collaborating architect. Built. Sources include: Dick Bell, Sharon Glazener, Leon Meyers, Kim Weiss, Danielle Carr. |
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