Nelagoney Glen

Bentonville, Arkansas

Architect: Modus Studio

Project Phase: CD

Nelagoney Glen is a community of six residences on nine acres of land in close proximity to downtown Bentonville. The project preserves the site’s iconic Ozark forest and riparian ecosystem with the delicate insertion of six houses into a shared community setting. The primary goal of the project, from the outset, has been to protect and enhance the existing woodland, forest, and creek, while providing access to nature through design. The presence of two natural springs connects the site to a regional history of “taking the waters,” celebrating the life supporting properties of clean water.

Extensive analysis and coordination was require to preserve existing trees and develop an overall design for the landscape that maximizes biodiversity, soil health, and water quality. Where trees will be removed due to the rebuilding of the street along two sides of the property, the design recreates the woodland edge with terraced stone walls that hold water and support lush understory planting.

A series of upland trails offer walking and biking paths across meadow areas, to a community pool, and through the forest, ultimately connecting to an existing public trail system. The lowland trail guides residents along an ephemeral waterway feeding into Black Apple Creek, with crossings that are passible only in times of low water flow.