0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888- - 888
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- 888
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- 888
0:00:15 > 0:00:17- 888
0:00:19 > 0:00:24- Welcome to 04Wal and to a milestone - in the history of the series.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28- It's 2004 and we're halfway through - the archives.
0:00:28 > 0:00:33- In this programme, we see houses - from both ends of the spectrum...
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- ..from mansions to houses - that are practically one room.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- Let's start with a posh one!
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- Aberystwyth University's Principal - lives in Plas Penglais.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48- The house goes with the job...
0:00:48 > 0:00:52- ..and Derec Llwyd Morgan - is about to retire.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56- He invited us to see the mansion - before he vacates it.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- We really took to this house.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07- To the manner born!
0:01:08 > 0:01:09- It's a cosy house.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- It may be big, but we make use - of every single room.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- We've grown to love it - and yes, we'll miss it.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25- There's already a lump in my throat - when I think of leaving.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- We were both raised - in small terraced houses.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- When we moved - to this large luxurious house...
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- ..we thought all our visitors - would expect us to be very grand!
0:01:40 > 0:01:44- I never thought I could live up - to people's expectations...
0:01:44 > 0:01:46- ..of the principal's wife!
0:01:47 > 0:01:49- Jane wasn't keen to move here.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- It wasn't in a state of disrepair...
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- ..but no work had been done to it - for 25 years.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00- The college decorated it - from top to bottom, fair play.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03- There was a farmhouse here in 1770.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- It remained in the same family - until the end of World War II.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- The Richardes family.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- This place was called The Mansion.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- There were plans to move - the college from the seafront...
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- ..up here to the hillside.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- Mrs Richardes lived here in 1946.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- The story has it that she argued - with her son one Friday...
0:02:27 > 0:02:32- ..and she instructed her solicitor - to sell the house and the land.
0:02:32 > 0:02:38- The treasurer gave the principal - a blank cheque, and he bought it.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- That's how the college acquired it.
0:02:49 > 0:02:50- This is the hall.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- You chose rich colours, didn't you?
0:02:53 > 0:02:55- Yes, they're warm colours.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- The terracotta is a lighter shade.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03- There are two colours here.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- It's more pink - towards the dining room.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- Cefyn Burgess - helped me choose the colours.
0:03:11 > 0:03:17- The walls were all painted magnolia - before we moved in.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- All the way to the top floor.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24- It was like the road to heaven - and it seemed never-ending.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29- I wanted to break up the magnolia, - but I needed advice.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- Cefyn showed me - a painting by Titian.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37- We chose the main colour scheme - from that painting.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Tell me about these hens, Jane.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48- We were on holiday in Cape Town - and driving towards Newlands...
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- ..when we saw a man selling them - on the side of the road.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58- I asked Derec to stop the car - and let me buy a couple of them.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02- They're pretty - and their eyes are very lifelike.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- They eye you suspiciously, - just like real hens!
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- They're great fun - and very colourful.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19- Joel, my young grandson, - usually sleeps in this room.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- The workmen describe this - as The Prince of Wales Room.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29- This is where Prince Charles slept - when he stayed here.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- Gareth Owen was the principal - back then.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- Did you choose the wallpaper?
0:04:35 > 0:04:36- Did you choose the wallpaper?- - No, Cefyn chose this.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- I didn't like it because I thought - the pattern was too intricate.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44- It has grown on me.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- The colours are very subdued.
0:04:48 > 0:04:49- The colours are very subdued.- - Yes, that's right.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- It's wonderful to sit on the bed - and look out to sea.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- I haven't slept in this room.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- Now's your chance, Jane!
0:05:02 > 0:05:03- I hope you filmed that!
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- We've told ourselves all along - that we are merely caretakers.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- We knew that our stay here - would be temporary.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23- It's a small town and I don't want - to be in my successor's shadow.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- My successor doesn't want to be - in my shadow either.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32- It wouldn't be fair if we were - still in town when they arrive.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- What sort of house - do you plan to buy?
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- We've already bought a house - but haven't worked on it yet.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- It's more of an Anglesey ranch - than a mansion!
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- He fell in love with it, - but I didn't.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- It took me a long time - to take to it.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53- You can rent somewhere - if you don't like it!
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- I'll apply - for the housekeeper's job here!
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- Ifan, Maggie and daughter Lydia - live here, in Springfield.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- It's a substantial house - in the centre of Dolgellau.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- How did you hear about the house?
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- We came here - to nose around the garden.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46- It was overgrown.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52- We peeked through the window - and saw two old ladies having tea.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53- We beat a hasty retreat!
0:06:54 > 0:06:59- That was the first time we saw it - and we fell in love with it.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Tell me about its history.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- We don't know much - about its history.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- We haven't had time - to do any research.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12- The architect thinks - that it was a slate owner's house.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- It was quite a grand house - in its day.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- How did you become its new owners?
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- There was a fire - when the two old ladies lived here.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30- They had to move out - and the house was sold to a builder.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- He tackled - some of the restoration work...
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- ..but he decided to sell, - and we bought it.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- There was dry rot, wet rot - and everything else imaginable here.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- Windows had fallen out - and floors had collapsed.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- We heard that the furniture - of the furthest bedroom...
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- ..had fallen all the way down - to the cellar.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- Ivy had grown - all over the whole house.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- This is a three-storey house.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- This is a three-storey house.- - Yes.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- It's anything but cramped!
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- There's even a grand piano - on the landing!
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- They've certainly - made the most of this house.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- The bedrooms are through here.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- At least, some of them are!
0:08:39 > 0:08:45- This room has three aspects - and views of Cader Idris...
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- ..or the Cader Idris range, - at least.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- There's a lovely paisley bedspread - over here.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55- This is solid furniture.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- There's another bedroom here.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- You could be in a French chateau - rather than Dolgellau.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- It's a French ensemble.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13- It's a muted colour scheme - in a luxurious room.
0:09:19 > 0:09:25- You're lucky to have so much land - with a house in the centre of town.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- Yes. It's lovely! We're very lucky.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34- I longed to live somewhere isolated - in the country, but I'd be scared!
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- I like living near other people.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- This gives us - the best of both worlds.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- Some of these details - are copies of the original details.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- Yes, the architect came across - the foundry in Scotland...
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- ..where the original ironwork - was done.
0:09:54 > 0:10:00- They still had the moulds, so this - is an exact copy of the original.
0:10:01 > 0:10:02- That's amazing.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- I love living here!
0:10:07 > 0:10:08- .
0:10:12 > 0:10:12- 888
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- 888- - 888
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- Welcome back to 04Wal - and to the year 2004.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- We're about to see a collection - of small houses.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28- We start in Minffordd, in the home - of Glyn Davies and his wife, Lee.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- It's probably the smallest house - ever featured on 04Wal.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50- Pen-y-Graig is a stone's throw - from a quarry in Penrhyndeudraeth.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- The house is over 300 years old.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- We rarely visit a property...
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- ..where you can see the whole house - from one spot.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- However, just like Wales, - small is beautiful.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37- We made our way to the house, - through the jungle outside...
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- ..and it was full of cobwebs.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- I felt like Indiana Jones!
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- It was love at first sight.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- Our offer was accepted...
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- ..within three days - of that first viewing.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- Was it structurally sound?
0:11:54 > 0:11:55- Was it structurally sound?- - Yes.
0:11:56 > 0:12:02- Whoever built it 300 years ago - knew exactly what he was doing.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07- The two gable ends - are almost five feet thick.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- The two side walls - are at least three feet thick.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- This house is completely solid.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- It has no foundations.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- This cottage was built on a rock - and it's as solid as a rock.
0:12:35 > 0:12:41- Was it always your intention - to create a Victorian-style cottage?
0:12:45 > 0:12:46- Yes, most definitely.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- Neither of us - are too keen on modern furniture.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- We both like antiques.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01- We're very organized - and we know where everything is.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08- The air turns blue on the odd - occasion when we lose something!
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- Having said that, it has to be - somewhere in this room!
0:13:14 > 0:13:15- There isn't much scope!
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- You've spent a lot of time - in the garden.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- Are you a keen gardener?
0:13:37 > 0:13:38- Are you a keen gardener?- - Yes.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- This was an orchard.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- Every single tree was diseased.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- I had to dig them up - and get rid of them.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- We now have three apple trees.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- We had to wait for three years - before we could plant them...
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- ..to give the disease time to clear.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03- We enjoy gardening...
0:14:03 > 0:14:08- ..and we grow 80% - of our own vegetables.
0:14:12 > 0:14:13- We also keep hens.
0:14:14 > 0:14:15- It's like The Good Life!
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- Margo Leadbetter lives next door!
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- Margo Leadbetter lives next door!- - No, definitely not.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26- We wouldn't move, - even if we won the Lottery.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- No other property - could mean so much to me.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39- We spent a whole year - rebuilding the interior.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- I wouldn't want - to go through that again.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- I'd be happy - to work on another garden...
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- ..but I'm more of a gardener - than a builder.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- You're happy sitting here - by the fire.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- Yes, all I need now - is an Irish wolfhound...
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- ..a cigar and a glass of rum.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- I'd be happy!
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- Most of the houses we see on 04Wal - are square, have lots of rooms...
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- ..and are built of stone.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- The building beyond this jungle - is round, only has one room...
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- ..and its roof and walls - are made of straw.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- This amazing building - is located in the Vale of Glamorgan.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00- Dafydd Wiliam is one of the men - who had the vision to build it.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- How long did it take - to build this roundhouse?
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- Four years, from start to finish.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- Three of us started the project, - but I'm the only one left.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- I've nearly finished it.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24- You don't have permission - to live here, so what's its purpose?
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- Mainly educational.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- My priority is to get people here - to see the building.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- It's made of natural materials.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- It's very visual.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- Visitors remember it...
0:16:39 > 0:16:44- ..and they go home with new ideas - about things like sustainability.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- It's about protecting - the environment...
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- ..and using nature's resources - as building materials.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14- Let's look at this work of genius - from within.
0:17:16 > 0:17:17- Wow!
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- You worked really hard - to create this!
0:17:21 > 0:17:26- How did you design - the nest-shaped roof?
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- It's a bit like a tepee or a wigwam.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37- The long joists that form the roof - rest on the timber frame.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- It holds itself up, in theory.
0:17:44 > 0:17:50- You used traditional materials - to create this modern building.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Yes, it's a contemporary house.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- It isn't an Iron Age house.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- It's a roundhouse, - but it has a raised wooden floor.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- It also has windows.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- No other roundhouse has windows.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32- How would you describe - the atmosphere?
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- Peaceful.
0:18:35 > 0:18:36- Tranquil.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- It makes you take a step back - from everyday things.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49- It's a round buildings - and more feminine.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- I think square buildings - are quite masculine.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- It's lovely to be in a building - that's more feminine than most.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- Cris Dafis bought - an ordinary, terraced house...
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- ..as a blank canvas - for his imagination and his ideas.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- You know what you're getting - when you buy a house like this.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30- I wanted a house - that needed work done to it.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35- In fact, it would have been easier - if I'd bought a ruin!
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- Work had been done to it - and that made things harder for me.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- I wanted to knock down walls - to create an open space.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- I wanted fewer rooms in the house.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52- That was my aim.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55- I live alone...
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- ..so I wanted a space, - rather than lots of rooms.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- This is the lounge.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- This is the cloakroom!
0:20:15 > 0:20:16- It's very musical.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- You can either hang your clothes - on these hangers...
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- ..or play them like triangles!
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- This is all that remains - of the wall...
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- ..that separated - the front and middle rooms.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- Thank goodness it's there, - or the roof would collapse!
0:20:35 > 0:20:36- The kitchen is this way.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43- This extended kitchen - is a wonderfully open space...
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- ..but it also draws your attention - outside, to the garden.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- The tiles are laid - in straight lines...
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- ..that continue outside the window.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- Something as negative - as a long, narrow garden...
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- ..seems to suck you outside, - as though you were in a vortex!
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Did you design this kitchen, Cris?
0:21:33 > 0:21:38- No, an architect drew up the plans - for this section of the house.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40- I knew the kind of thing I wanted...
0:21:40 > 0:21:46- ..but I needed an expert to decide - on the measurements and the details.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- That was taken out of my hands.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57- I wanted a large window - - a glass wall, essentially.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- I told the architect what I wanted - and he drew up the plans.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- You have a glass wall - over there...
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- ..and the roof windows - let in even more light.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- The architect - added that row of windows.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- They aren't real windows, - because they don't open.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- They create a stunning effect - in mid-morning...
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- ..when the shadows of the lamps - hit the wall.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- I spend more time here at night - than during the day...
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- ..because I'm out working.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- The way the house looked at night - was important to me.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- We spent a lot of time - deciding how to stage the lighting.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- What do the neighbours think of it?
0:22:59 > 0:23:04- The lady who lives next door but two - came here and she loves it.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10- She said, "It's lovely! It's like - a spaceship!" about the kitchen.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14- "It's a pity you can't move it - to somewhere nice!"
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- I've created something - that's relatively radical...
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- ..but it isn't quite radical enough - for me.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- I'm not exactly sure - how I'd do it...
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- ..but I want to be far more extreme - in my next house!
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones
0:23:51 > 0:23:51- .