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00:05This week, I meet the couple trying to turn a caravan into a spectacular theatre.
00:10Is it going to collapse when I'm standing here?
00:12No, it'll be fine.
00:14But treading the boards is proving a struggle.
00:16There's a hole in there.
00:18Look!
00:18There is.
00:19I nearly fell down that.
00:20I see how a rusting wheat silo has been transformed into a rather unique house.
00:26Oh, my God, the acoustics.
00:27Isn't it that?
00:29When you're right in the centre of the cone shape, your voice completely changes.
00:34And the humblest of spaces saved from the scrap heap is revived to create the ultimate in rustic charm.
00:41Is all of this original?
00:43Yes, it's all original.
00:44You've got this amazing ability to really love the material.
00:49And three months of hard work are about to come to fruition on my boyhood dream of building the ultimate
00:55treehouse.
00:56I can't thank you enough for help making this a reality, really, because it's just spot on.
01:07Across this series, I've seen a host of eclectic building projects.
01:11I've continually been surprised by the drive and determination to push their budgets and their designs to the limits.
01:18Look at the size of that!
01:19But one of the most popular small space projects involves the once humble family caravan.
01:26The backbone of the Great British Holiday was the centrepiece of my own project to create the perfect family hideaway
01:33last year.
01:33This is life-changing stuff for me and my family.
01:36And from the chicken shed turned ice cream parlour to an ornately restored 1940s caravan come beauty emporium,
01:45these little spaces have shown their versatility and appeal for a whole new audience,
01:49including a rather ambitious project down in Kent.
01:54All the projects that I see on Amazing Spaces require vision and creativity,
01:59and this one is going to be packed with both.
02:01Street performers Michael and Alana have bought the most unremarkable caravan,
02:05but they plan to turn into a unique mobile workspace.
02:11Morning. Hello, George. How are you? Very good, thank you.
02:14It's been a cold, windy day today. It is indeed.
02:17You've bought this? We have.
02:18Why on earth have you done that?
02:20Our past street theatre shows have all been contraptions on wheels,
02:25ranging from very small to medium, and this is the next step for us.
02:30We very luckily had a bit of Arts Council funding,
02:32and we've had a bit of funding from a local Fuse Festival,
02:34and so this is, within that budget, a way of making a portable theatre.
02:41Bought for just £500 on eBay,
02:44this couple have grand plans for this tired two-berth caravan.
02:50So if you can visualise the most decadent Victorian theatre,
02:54and then shrink it and put it inside a caravan,
02:57that's what we're going to do.
02:58A decadent Victorian theatre? Yeah, plush.
03:01In that? Yeah.
03:03You are mad. You're absolutely bonkers.
03:06So this could become, like, a Victorian time machine
03:09with cogs and chains and steam pumping out and...
03:12Yeah. ...with a bit of a submarine Nautilus feel.
03:14Yeah, like the Nautilus, Jules Van.
03:16I just look at that, and I'm thinking,
03:18there's this enormous disconnection in my brain...
03:20There is! ...from the words you're saying
03:21and what I'm seeing over here.
03:23Yeah, there's, um...
03:24Yeah, there's a slight juxtaposition,
03:26but that's the plan, you know?
03:27That's the beauty of it.
03:29That is...
03:29That's the madness.
03:30What's your kind of time scale for this?
03:32Well, we just worked it out, didn't we?
03:34Yeah, what did you say?
03:35Seven weeks.
03:36Where did that come from? I love that.
03:38Seven weeks?
03:39We've just worked it out over a coffee this morning.
03:42Well, the Fuse Festival,
03:43who gave us a big chunk of money,
03:45is on the 14th of June.
03:47That's quite tight, actually.
03:48It's very tight, really tight.
03:50Especially for everything we want to do.
03:52Is it going to collapse when I'm standing here?
03:53No, it'll be fine.
03:55Are you sure?
03:55No, I'm not sure, actually.
03:58Mind that.
03:58Oh, crikey.
03:59There's a hole in there.
04:00There's a hole in there.
04:01Look!
04:01There is.
04:03And then he fell down that.
04:05That's where the heater went, I think.
04:08I might just put that there.
04:09Yeah, put that back.
04:10I'll put that back.
04:10That's enough, right?
04:11We can sign that off.
04:12I'll just pretend I didn't see that.
04:13It's pretty knackered.
04:15It's knackered.
04:15We didn't realise how bad it was,
04:17if I'm being completely honest.
04:19When we got in here,
04:20until we took a bit of wall off,
04:22we had no idea it was this bad.
04:24Yeah, I mean, there's been a lot of water
04:25coming in through there.
04:26I mean, this is all completely...
04:28I mean, look at that.
04:29Yeah.
04:30And it's actually dried out a lot already.
04:32If you put your finger in,
04:33it'll probably still squeeze a bit of water coming out.
04:36You can see it ripping away.
04:38That is bad, isn't it?
04:39You could have a shower with that.
04:40It's horrible.
04:42But this side's coming off anyway, isn't it?
04:43That side's all coming off.
04:44We're going to chop that side off.
04:45Just as well?
04:46And that will be our front of the theatre.
04:48So, yeah.
04:48It's your arch.
04:49Yes, our theatre arch.
04:50Of the big stage.
04:51Plus arch.
04:51If we want to make a museum,
04:53we want to present artefacts and works of art
04:55and bits and bobs.
04:57It's so hard to see it right now
04:58without the wall and the dam.
05:00Tell me about it.
05:01You're not joking there, mate.
05:03It just sounds like it's going to be
05:05a kind of a little architectural wonder
05:07of lots of weird and wonderful things.
05:10Do you actually know what they're going to be?
05:11We know some.
05:12We've made some.
05:13Do you want to see some?
05:14You've made some things?
05:15Some bits, some ideas, some research.
05:16I love it.
05:17Some research, some bits, some ideas, some things.
05:20Yeah.
05:20I can't wait to see them.
05:21Come on, leave them there.
05:22Let's have a look.
05:24Michael and Alana are taking their inspiration
05:26for the caravan from a movement
05:28known as steampunk
05:29that features strange futuristic inventions
05:32as the Victorians might have envisaged them.
05:36OK, here we go.
05:37This is what it's going to look like.
05:39That's fantastic, isn't it?
05:40What a great image.
05:42That just kind of captures everything
05:44that you've talked about.
05:45That's a proper spectacle.
05:46That is.
05:47Yeah.
05:47You know, a caravan is actually quite small,
05:49but if the doors open up,
05:50they effectively double the width
05:51of our playing field.
05:53Yeah, yeah, yeah.
05:53And you've got puppets coming out the roof.
05:55You've got a little Punch and Judy screen there,
05:57if you want it.
05:57Another door here.
05:58And the inside of the caravan actually is...
06:00Looks pretty normal.
06:02It is pretty similar,
06:03although that's evolving.
06:04That's going to change.
06:05It doesn't look normal.
06:07LAUGHTER
06:10So this was kind of initial inspiration
06:13for the caravan.
06:14So it's...
06:15It's an old-fashioned pop-up book.
06:17Oh, proper pop-up book.
06:18They're great, aren't they?
06:20It's re-lifted them.
06:21Yeah.
06:21So this was sat on our table for quite a while.
06:24Everything falls out
06:25to reveal
06:26the completely different
06:28three-dimensional
06:29hidden world.
06:31This is your caravan.
06:32It is, yeah.
06:34I mean, there's a book.
06:35I mean, it's fantastic.
06:36And it's full,
06:37and it's rich,
06:38and there's tonnes going on.
06:39It's busy,
06:40and it's brilliant.
06:44Michael and Alana plan to use
06:46the entire side
06:46of this 70-square-foot caravan
06:48to create giant hinged doors
06:50that will open up
06:51to reveal a proscenium arch
06:53and stage behind.
06:55They will lay a new floor,
06:56and the existing storage cupboards
06:58will be used
06:58to display their collection
06:59of artefacts
07:00that make up
07:01this museum of the imagination.
07:03The original front door
07:05of the caravan
07:06will be used
07:06as the actor's stage door.
07:10In order to bring
07:11their quirky plans to life,
07:12they've got Carpenter Len on board,
07:14who's already marked up
07:16the side of the caravan
07:17to remove it.
07:27Woo!
07:28Oh, my God!
07:29Well, this brings back memories.
07:30It does, isn't it?
07:31Flashbacks.
07:32You getting cold sweats,
07:33or are you Barbie?
07:34No, it's fine.
07:36Well, thanks for your expertise.
07:40So, go on, Alana.
07:41I'm ready.
07:42First performance.
07:43You know,
07:43your first audience
07:44in front of your caravan.
07:46Yeah.
07:47I'm going to leave it to you.
07:49Hand it over.
07:51Do you know what?
07:51Sitting here now,
07:52as mad as it sounds,
07:53I think it's going to work.
07:54You can imagine
07:54the doors opening up,
07:55that wonderful hidden world inside
07:57being revealed to the kids.
07:58What do you think?
07:59Yeah, I think it's really going to...
08:01It's not going to be
08:02what anyone expects to happen.
08:04Michael and Alana have not only
08:06got to coordinate the builders
08:07to restore this properly,
08:08but they've got puppet makers,
08:10set designers,
08:11all the rehearsals
08:12that have got to be put in place
08:13for the show.
08:13And all of that
08:15has got to be done
08:15in just seven weeks.
08:18Three months ago,
08:20William and I were given
08:21the mother of all
08:21treehouse projects.
08:24Calvertrust Kielder,
08:25an outward bound centre
08:26in Northumberland,
08:27offering adventure holidays
08:28for families with disabilities,
08:29gave us a plot
08:30and asked us to build
08:31a treehouse that sleeps six
08:33that was accessible for all.
08:36Our budget was £100,000
08:38to bring this vision to life.
08:40We found some treehouse inspiration,
08:43first in Somerset...
08:44Very cute, isn't she?
08:46..then in Sweden.
08:48That's a UFO.
08:50Is it a piece of architecture
08:52or is it just a piece
08:54of magician's trickery?
08:57We came up with
08:58a very simple design.
09:00Planned it,
09:01built it
09:03and transported it
09:05400 miles across the country
09:06to its final resting place.
09:09before the fun and games
09:11of fitting our pods
09:12in amongst the trees began.
09:14I've seen the objects
09:15just being dropped in.
09:16It's absolutely magical.
09:17Look at that.
09:19Giant baked bean can
09:21coming in.
09:22This was a build
09:23with a lot of hurdles
09:24to overcome.
09:26Is that it?
09:27Yes!
09:28But guess what?
09:30We did it!
09:32We did it!
09:33We did it!
09:54I can't actually believe
09:56after all of this
09:57we've done it
09:58and she looks beautiful.
10:00Absolutely beautiful.
10:01I think of all
10:02of the childhood
10:04dreams that I've had
10:05of wanting to build
10:06the perfect treehouse
10:08in the most perfect
10:09idyllic location
10:12this is it.
10:13This is it.
10:15It's only taken
10:16about 30 years
10:18for me to get there
10:18and do it.
10:19It's only realised it, yeah.
10:20I can't thank you enough
10:21for making this a reality
10:23really
10:23because it's just spot on.
10:30This is just magic, this.
10:32I love it.
10:32The way it just gently
10:34slopes down
10:36and then you're in.
10:38Hovering elegantly
10:39above the river
10:40this pipe sits
10:41ten foot above the ground.
10:43Look at that.
10:44I mean that
10:44is just amazing.
10:46Beautiful.
10:49It's stunning.
10:52It just absolutely
10:56specifically focuses
10:57on that view
10:58through the trees
10:59on the river.
11:01It's that powerful.
11:04That view's
11:05never been particularly
11:06seen.
11:07I mean we've kind of
11:08by putting this here
11:09we've created that view.
11:10Obviously it's always
11:10been there
11:11but the tree
11:11you know
11:12we've had to clip
11:12a few of the trees
11:13so you get a really
11:14clean view upstream.
11:16I mean to think
11:17that we've taken
11:18a standard
11:21drainage pipe
11:22that would just
11:23have horrible
11:24stuff going
11:24throughout.
11:26It's actually
11:26now just a
11:27beautiful thing.
11:27You know
11:28not on the ground
11:28not subterranean
11:29but left it
11:30out of the ground
11:31and given a whole
11:31new lease of life
11:32to be amongst
11:33the trees.
11:34It feels sheltered
11:35but it's
11:36out there
11:37you know
11:37it's open.
11:38I'll tell you
11:39what
11:39on a night
11:39you think about it
11:40you've got lots
11:41of friends
11:41going around
11:43and you just
11:44stoke up the fire
11:45put the fire on
11:46a cup of tea
11:48a few beers
11:50I just love
11:51the fact that
11:51you're kind of
11:52inside but outside
11:54at the same time
11:55you know
11:55you're sheltered
11:56but you can still
11:57experience all the
11:58elements
11:58you know
11:58the wind coming
11:59through
11:59the sound of
12:01the river at the
12:01bottom
12:01the rain when
12:02the heavens open
12:03it really is a
12:05magical experience
12:06I think.
12:12And it's a super
12:13multifunctional space
12:14as well isn't it
12:14I mean this does
12:15lots of things.
12:15Yeah
12:16well this can
12:16all slip away
12:17it's so simple
12:18that just slides
12:19under there
12:21and then these
12:22can come up
12:22and those flip
12:23away too
12:24oh look at that
12:25and they tuck
12:26under there
12:27and there
12:29and it's perfect
12:30isn't it
12:30wheelchair access
12:31you can come
12:31all the way down
12:32right up to the
12:33edge
12:34to experience
12:35that for you
12:35in a way
12:36this is the pure
12:38intention this space
12:39this is what it's
12:40really really about
12:41the camping
12:41the shelter
12:42the being properly
12:43out there
12:44the adventure
12:44everyone can
12:45experience this
12:46building in some
12:48way shape or form
12:49it's magical actually
12:50I mean it really
12:51really is
12:52it's to do something
12:53as simple as this
12:54but it would be so
12:56special
12:56and such a unique
12:58experience is just
12:59incredible
13:10in recent years
13:12the humble
13:12shepherd's hut
13:13has seen a bit
13:14of a revival
13:14with people
13:15converting them
13:16into holiday
13:17accommodation
13:17family annexes
13:19and even
13:19garden offices
13:20they're readily
13:22available to buy
13:23online from
13:23specialist dealers
13:24costing anything
13:25from £3,000
13:26to upward
13:27of £10,000
13:28they're transportable
13:30and adaptable
13:31used in the
13:3319th and 20th
13:33century on sheep
13:34farms in the
13:35lambing season
13:36this tiny space
13:37would work as a
13:37bedroom, kitchen
13:38and storeroom
13:41garden centre
13:42owner and
13:42shepherd's hut
13:43enthusiast
13:43Roland
13:44has rescued
13:45this dilapidated
13:46example to
13:47restore
13:47this is my
13:48shepherd's hut
13:49it's a John
13:50Farris hut
13:51it's of late
13:5219th century
13:53and it
13:54as you can see
13:55it needs a total
13:56restoration
13:57well the shepherd
13:58would have had
13:58a bed
13:59at this
14:00end
14:00and he would
14:01have had
14:01a little gate
14:03on the front
14:03where he could
14:04have put his
14:04lambs
14:05day old lambs
14:06inside
14:07underneath
14:07and he would
14:08have just
14:08slept on
14:09top of the
14:09bed
14:09and he would
14:10have had
14:10a wood burner
14:11here which he
14:12could also
14:12have boiled up
14:13milk
14:13and given it
14:14to the lambs
14:15and he's got
14:16a window here
14:17where he can
14:17actually look out
14:18and keep a
14:18lookout on the
14:19rest of the
14:19sheep
14:20some people
14:21probably think
14:22this hut
14:22is just a
14:23loaded chunk
14:23but I think
14:24it's a real
14:24gem
14:25it's got lots
14:26of character
14:28it's very
14:29very old
14:29it's got lots
14:30of historical
14:30value
14:33in order to
14:34get the hut
14:34into a workable
14:35state
14:35he's called
14:36on the help
14:37of blacksmith
14:37Eddie
14:38who's going
14:39to rebuild
14:39the wooden
14:40chassis
14:40and fabricate
14:41many of the
14:42metal fittings
14:44we're going
14:45to restore
14:46Roland's hut
14:47to our new
14:48condition
14:48using the
14:49same tools
14:50and techniques
14:50that they
14:51would have
14:51used
14:52when it
14:52was built
14:53I mean
14:53over my
14:54shoulder
14:54there
14:54there's
14:55a saw
14:55that came
14:56out of
14:56the
14:56Jay
14:56Farris
14:57works
14:57years ago
14:58so I don't
14:59think you
15:00can get
15:00much more
15:01authenticity
15:02than making
15:02it on the
15:03same page
15:03it was made
15:04with originally
15:04and we've
15:05done a lot
15:05of research
15:06between us
15:07to establish
15:09what it
15:09looked like
15:10years ago
15:11so when it's
15:12back together
15:12it should
15:12be as it
15:13was when
15:14it came
15:14out of
15:14the box
15:15really
15:16it's not
15:16going to be
15:16painted out
15:17in sort
15:18of very
15:19feminine colours
15:19on this
15:20restoration
15:20it's going
15:21to be
15:21a little bit
15:22more like
15:22the shepherd
15:23would have
15:23had it
15:24when they
15:24originally
15:26were using
15:27it with
15:27sheep and
15:28lambs
15:28in a bid
15:29to recreate
15:30a slavishly
15:31authentic hut
15:32Eddie set
15:33up his
15:33very own
15:34Victorian
15:34workshop
15:36while the
15:37smithying
15:37hasn't changed
15:38since the hut
15:38was originally
15:39built
15:41Victorian
15:42tratsmen
15:42had to rely
15:43on either
15:44good old-fashioned
15:44elbow grease
15:45or steam
15:46power
15:50taking the
15:51idea of
15:52boys toys
15:52to a whole
15:53new level
15:53Eddie is
15:54using a
15:55super-sized
15:55steam-powered
15:56circular saw
15:57to cut
15:58a new
15:58beam
15:59as you can
16:00see this
16:01piece of
16:01wood
16:01all these
16:02little saw
16:03lines
16:03they're
16:03exactly
16:04the same
16:04as it
16:04would have
16:05been
16:05so I've
16:05just got
16:06one more
16:06cut to do
16:06and that's
16:07Roland's
16:07axle done
16:09after months
16:10of meticulous
16:11work
16:11it's time
16:12to test
16:12Eddie's
16:13engineering
16:13and move
16:14the hut
16:14to its
16:15new home
16:15ready for
16:16Roland to
16:17complete
16:17the interior
16:24it's not
16:25just
16:25shepherd's
16:25huts
16:26that are
16:26ripe for
16:26restoration
16:27down on
16:27the farm
16:29I'm on
16:30my way
16:30to meet
16:30Rob
16:31who's
16:31taken on
16:31the most
16:32unusual
16:32project
16:33he's
16:34bought
16:34agricultural
16:34buildings
16:35that have
16:36a very
16:36specific
16:37form
16:37that reflect
16:38their
16:38function
16:38now the
16:39challenge
16:39is
16:40how do
16:40you make
16:40that space
16:41work
16:41when the
16:42function
16:42changes
16:43they've
16:44become
16:44a space
16:45to be
16:45lived
16:45in
16:47when
16:47farmer
16:48Robert
16:48bought
16:48this
16:49land
16:49he
16:50discovered
16:50that he
16:50also
16:51owned
16:51the
16:51disused
16:52wheat
16:52silos
16:52made
16:53from
16:53corrugated
16:54aluminium
16:55where
16:55others
16:56may have
16:56demolished
16:57he
16:57saw
16:57a
16:57unique
16:58opportunity
16:58to
16:59recycle
16:59on
17:00a
17:00grand
17:00scale
17:02wheat
17:03silos
17:04have
17:04been
17:04around
17:04since
17:04the
17:0519th
17:05century
17:05the
17:06round
17:07shape
17:07optimised
17:08the
17:08volume
17:08and
17:08distribution
17:09of the
17:10grains
17:10stored
17:13Rob how are you
17:14very well
17:15good to meet you
17:16lovely to meet you too
17:17what have you got here
17:19it's a kind of recycling
17:20it's a redundant building
17:23that needed something doing to it
17:24but it's such an unusual fall
17:26very unusual isn't it
17:27most of our houses are square little boxes
17:29generally
17:30you tell me when you go in
17:31whether it feels bigger or smaller than
17:33an equivalent square building
17:35I feel you
17:36there's more space inside because it's circular
17:38I'm intrigued
17:39can we go inside and have a look
17:40yeah let's go inside and have a look
17:40lead the way
17:41come on in
17:44this is good
17:46actually it is bigger than I thought it would be
17:48Robert has divided the ground floor in half
17:50forming two semi-circular rooms
17:53creating the only straight wall in the building
17:55with a kitchen on one side
17:57and a double bed on the other
18:00it's lighter and brighter than I thought it was going to be
18:02even when you've only got small little windows like that
18:04there's still a good quality of natural light coming into the space
18:06yes
18:07and what have you got in here
18:08what's this
18:08well this is the shower
18:09tucked in there
18:12that's brilliant
18:13I thought it was just a little storage cupboard
18:14and it's a full shower in there
18:16it's a full shower
18:17so in here this is where you've got the toilet tucked in there
18:20that's great isn't it
18:22in the hallway
18:23Robert's managed to squeeze in a separate toilet
18:25and the whole building has mains plumbing and electricity
18:28the staircase works really well doesn't it
18:31just hugging the curve of the silo
18:33yes
18:34beautiful
18:34it's a great space
18:35oh my god the acoustics
18:37listen to that
18:38when you're right in the centre
18:39of the cone shape
18:41your voice completely changes
18:43yeah
18:44very strange
18:45an extraordinary thing
18:46which I didn't foresee
18:47no no you wouldn't
18:48it's like a free gift
18:50when you sit down
18:52on your sofa
18:53you get three fantastic framed views
18:55and that window
18:56just picks up those houses in the distance
18:58that one's beautiful
18:59because it's like a piece of artwork
19:00it's just framing the tree
19:02and then that one out there
19:03which is probably the best of all
19:05is the view of that fantastic landscape
19:07and the mountains in the distance
19:08it's perfect isn't it
19:10and technically how difficult was it to do
19:12did you have to build it from the inside out
19:14so put a new kind of frame on the inside of the cladding
19:17yeah
19:17it's strength is just in the wriggly tin
19:19and the fact that it's a circle
19:21so once you cut that
19:22it loses its integrity
19:24and it'll go all floppy
19:25so you have to be really really careful
19:27how much did it cost to do all the work
19:29and do the conversion
19:30we've done three
19:31this was about 55,000
19:33okay and what was the first one
19:3475
19:35so it went from 70,000 down to 55 for the second one
19:39what was the third one
19:4045
19:40that's amazing
19:42it is isn't it
19:42and what about the planners
19:44actually when we went to see them
19:45they were really encouraging
19:46it was a complete surprise to me actually
19:48and they wanted to retain the silos
19:50because it's part of the historical development of the site
19:52and I think they thought
19:54well it obeys building regs
19:57it conserves enough heat
19:59the spaces work
20:02it's not a new building
20:03it was there already
20:04so in a sense I guess they felt
20:07well why not
20:10silos like these are dotted all across Britain
20:12and they form a fantastic part of our agricultural legacy
20:15so it's great to see that as industry changes
20:18people are adapting
20:20diversifying
20:21and really coming up with creative ways
20:23of making their farmland productive again
20:25before you take on your own small space project
20:28you should seek independent planning advice
20:30and check with your local council
20:35look at that
20:36that's fantastic
20:38high tech or low tech
20:40giving yourself enough time to be creative
20:42about how you'll use your space
20:44before you start your build
20:45can be an affordable way to maximise what you have
20:48it's very clever
20:50I'm very impressed
20:52and that's exactly what William and I did
20:54in a tiny 16 by 12 foot rectangle
20:57to create the heart of our tree house
21:03it's lovely
21:05it's just so simple
21:08and so pure
21:09as a space isn't it
21:10because
21:10at the minute
21:12there's nothing in it
21:13apart from
21:14a kitchen sink
21:16absolutely
21:17you've just got these little clues
21:18throughout the room
21:19of the shape of a dresser
21:20the tiny bit of a table
21:23places where you know
21:24you can see you can pull something
21:25or open it
21:26and you've got to kind of work it out
21:27shall we start with the bed
21:29yep
21:29go for it
21:30so
21:33first we open there
21:35a void designed into the wall of the rectangle
21:38is used to conceal an additional bed
21:40this will roll out
21:42look at that
21:44and we've got a little locking point there
21:47look at that
21:49it's neat isn't it
21:50yeah and then it's perfectly positioned isn't it
21:51a simple sash window pulley system
21:54has been used to support the weight of the fall down bed
21:58we need to prop the end of it don't we
22:00yeah
22:00I've got some really special devices for that
22:03going back to log cabins
22:05really high tech
22:06a couple of logs
22:08it's lovely isn't it
22:12it's really nice isn't it
22:13it's so lovely
22:19the headboard's nice too isn't it
22:21it really gives a division between here and the kitchen
22:23it actually makes another little division in the space
22:25it's just perfect Will
22:27so simple
22:29and so effective
22:30and look how it changes the space
22:32yeah
22:32it's just appeared
22:33from nowhere
22:35do you know what I mean
22:36yeah
22:36cool
22:36right so we put this away
22:37yep
22:40something as simple as storage
22:41has taken on a new playful form
22:44using hints of traditional design
22:46it's a modern take
22:47on an old-fashioned dresser
22:50pop that out
22:51a little touch catch
22:54that comes down to there
22:57look at that
22:58look at that
23:02it's just so simple
23:03it's just so simple
23:04and again it's all
23:05I mean it's slightly fancy hinges
23:07but it's it is all stuff
23:08and you've got a little side unit there
23:11and then storage
23:20it's not only clever
23:22it's beautiful
23:23look at all of that
23:24really functional
23:26useful storage
23:28yeah
23:29in a very beautiful way
23:30and if you don't want the clutter
23:32it can just all disappear
23:35table
23:35yeah
23:36I love it
23:37so we've got our little side shelf
23:38with a couple of random legs
23:40just the
23:41well it's
23:41it is that kind of vernacular
23:43slightly shaker-like table
23:45so it is log cabin-y
23:47yeah
23:47but
23:47but the beauty
23:48lies in that mechanism
23:50isn't it
23:56there you give it a little push
24:01it's so much fun isn't it
24:04it's got that proper
24:05you know
24:06wacky contraption
24:08mad inventor
24:09I mean the things that are used in this
24:12the hinges
24:12pieces of elastic
24:14to make sure it all contracts properly
24:16sash weights again
24:18and once the table's down
24:19in this beautiful position
24:21what have you got behind?
24:23more
24:24storage
24:25you know
24:26in any space
24:27any space
24:28it's always storage
24:29storage storage
24:30whereabouts
24:31can we keep cups
24:31and mugs
24:32and candles
24:33and towels
24:33and everything
24:34keep it behind your dining table
24:36vertically against the wall
24:39so we've got a table
24:41we need some chairs mate
24:42and I'll tell you what
24:43this is probably my favourite panel
24:45of everything
24:46I mean I like the decorative touches
24:48that we've got
24:48on the kind of side dressing table
24:50over there
24:51but that for me
24:52just looks really cool
24:54it's just pure function
24:56but it's beautiful as well
24:58it's these kind of amazing
24:58kind of butterfly shapes
25:00these random forms
25:01I think if people came into the space
25:03they'd look at it
25:04and think
25:04what is that
25:05is that a piece of art on the wall
25:07what does it do
25:07I don't think you'd ever imagine
25:09that they were the base
25:10for stools
25:14to have all the furniture
25:15within an 18mm deep wall
25:18is just mad
25:20shall we build it
25:21yeah let's do it
25:26the furniture is not only designed
25:28to save space
25:29but to encourage creativity
25:30and a sense of fun
25:34there are enough parts
25:36to make four stools
25:37or two benches
25:43but that's not all
25:45the same wall
25:46also conceals
25:47a fold-out sofa
25:48which doubles
25:48as a second bed
25:59I could honestly
26:00just sit here all day
26:02I really could
26:02it's so beautiful
26:04the potential of this
26:05in everyone's home
26:07is absolutely huge
26:08I think particularly
26:10in small spaces
26:11where you don't want
26:12clutter all the time
26:13you need to be able to
26:15perform all sorts of functions
26:16it's perfect
26:17but if you just go around the house
26:18you know how could you do this
26:20in a bathroom
26:20how could you do this
26:21in a kids room
26:22a bedroom that can turn
26:23into something completely different
26:24it can all disappear
26:26the rectangular space
26:28has been pushed to the limit
26:30such as that
26:31you give it a push
26:32and the balcony
26:33creating an inside
26:34outside space
26:35is elegantly simple
26:39that's just so beautiful
26:40isn't it
26:42the view of the river here
26:43is just so lovely
26:44isn't it
26:46I think just being
26:47up amongst the trees
26:48like this
26:48literally
26:50being able to touch
26:51the top of branches
26:51look at that
26:53and then looking down
26:54at the river
26:54it's perfect
26:56I like also the way
26:57it really opens up the space
26:59I mean this becomes
26:59an even bigger room
27:00yeah
27:01the layout has been designed
27:03to allow ample floor space
27:04for accessibility
27:06and we've managed to squeeze
27:07in two beds
27:08a dining table
27:09with seating for six people
27:10a balcony
27:12and even a wet room
27:13all within just 192 square feet
27:21the bottom of the garden
27:23is for many the ideal spot
27:24for their amazing space
27:26under permitted development
27:28you'll be surprised
27:29at the range of options
27:30open to you
27:31just a few yards
27:32from your house
27:33all you need is a garden
27:35and a vision
27:36in Exeter
27:38tucked away amongst the shrubbery
27:40is a rather unusual
27:41garden retreat
27:44hello everybody
27:45the shallow anchor is open
27:49Trevor Morris decided
27:50to do something very different
27:52with his ramshackle
27:53summer house
27:54this building was here
27:56when we bought the house
27:58in 93
27:59it's been here
28:01for over 100 years
28:02it was very dilapidated
28:04and like most garden sheds
28:07it was just full up
28:09with rubbish
28:10and I thought
28:11perhaps it was time
28:13I did something with it
28:14there was great big
28:15wudges of ivy
28:16all growing in
28:18inside
28:18all the front
28:20was rotten
28:21so I had to renew the floor
28:22from about
28:23there out
28:25the doors were falling off
28:27yeah a bit of a state really
28:29the space measures
28:3112 foot by 8 foot
28:32and that a squeeze
28:33can fit in up to 10 people
28:37Trevor doesn't need a license
28:39as he doesn't sell
28:40or serve alcohol
28:41to the public
28:41the pub is only for the enjoyment
28:43of family and friends
28:45as for what it costs
28:47probably
28:48seven
28:49eight hundred pounds
28:50I had to buy the slates
28:51I bought all the
28:53cladding
28:54for the timber
28:55I had a window made
28:56I had two new doors made
28:58you know
28:59a lot of time
28:59I suppose
29:00but
29:01but it's
29:02been
29:02quite enjoyable
29:03to do it
29:04and see it
29:05Trevor
29:06has always had a love
29:07of the sea
29:08so finding a thing
29:09for this garden space
29:10was never
29:11going to be an issue
29:12all the bits and pieces
29:13have come from
29:14charity shops
29:15and I've been to
29:16car boot sales
29:17I'm finding it
29:19difficult to find
29:19space to put it all in now
29:23and Trevor's wife
29:24Sandy
29:24loves what he's done
29:26you can go to the pub
29:28anytime you like
29:29even if it's closing time
29:32the old old saying
29:33men don't grow up
29:35the toys just get more expensive
29:36this shed
29:37is probably
29:38the ultimate
29:40in a man's
29:41toy
29:41the best free pub
29:43in Devon
29:51if you're about to start
29:53your own amazing space build
29:54big or small
29:55and would like to take part
29:57in our next series
29:58then please go to my scrapbook
29:59channel4.com
30:00slash George
30:08in Worcester
30:09there's a very different type
30:11of project
30:11one that harks back
30:13to a simpler
30:14way of life
30:17Roland and Eddie
30:18are so passionate
30:19about shepherd's huts
30:20they set themselves
30:22the difficult challenge
30:23of restoring
30:24a Victorian hut
30:25as authentically
30:26as possible
30:27I'm keen to see
30:28just how close
30:29they came
30:30to the original
30:32hi Eddie
30:33hello George
30:35nice to see you
30:36you're well
30:36yes sir thank you
30:37she looks fantastic
30:38doesn't she
30:39yes thank you
30:39absolutely beautiful
30:41this is as authentic
30:43a restoration
30:44as you could hope for
30:48all of this
30:49looks incredible
30:51is this a recreation
30:53of where the horse
30:54sort of pulled it along
30:55this is all shaft
30:56right
30:56that's right
30:56it's absolutely identical
30:57to what it was like
30:58originally
30:59and the way that you've
31:00built all of these
31:01little details
31:02has been done
31:02in the most
31:03traditional manner
31:04ever
31:05hasn't it
31:05well I think
31:06the tools
31:06that I've used
31:07are the same tools
31:08they used to build it
31:08with in 1880
31:09do you think
31:10you were born
31:10about 130 years
31:12too late
31:12probably
31:14I should think so
31:15that's right
31:16yeah
31:16I even went to
31:17Tony and measured
31:18his horse up
31:19he had to tape measure
31:20across his bottom
31:21one night
31:21in the shed
31:22so it would fit
31:23so that's the
31:25extremes we went to
31:26I wish I'd been there
31:27when you were measuring
31:28the horse's back
31:29that's right
31:29yeah
31:29well like I say
31:30it had to be functional
31:31so you know
31:32it's got to fit
31:33the horse
31:33you know
31:34is this an original piece
31:36or is this a
31:36no I've made all this
31:38made all this
31:38out of old iron
31:39I got in the workshop
31:40in order to establish
31:42the position of the holes
31:43and things for it
31:44I had the old rotten
31:45piece of timber
31:45and there was a hole
31:46in it there
31:47and there were two holes
31:48in it here
31:49so I could determine
31:50the width of the axle
31:52and the height of it
31:53it's like a detective
31:55thing really
31:56from just the little
31:57fragments
31:57you can kind of
31:58work out how it
31:59went back together again
32:01are these original
32:01this one then
32:02or has that been
32:02you made those
32:04that's wrought iron
32:05again
32:05that's some very old
32:06iron I had
32:07at the workshop
32:08so I made all this up
32:09I thought that was
32:10the original part
32:11but it's not
32:11it's kind of
32:12it's an old bit
32:12that you've had
32:13knocking around
32:13the forge
32:14and have them remade
32:15well if I find
32:16an old piece of iron
32:17I think well that's
32:17lovely I'll put that
32:18to one side
32:18for something
32:19you know
32:20absolutely fantastic
32:21now I know
32:22this has been
32:22a collaborative project
32:23but after seeing
32:24the outside
32:24I think it's now
32:25becoming kind of
32:26a battle
32:26is the outside
32:27better than the inside
32:28is the inside
32:28better than the outside
32:29well it's
32:30debatable I think
32:32if it's anything like
32:33the outside
32:34you'll have done a great job
32:35can we go inside and have a look
32:36it's certainly different
32:36come and have a look
32:37yes
32:40look at that
32:42Roland this is
32:44absolutely
32:45incredible
32:46it
32:47it's like going back in time
32:50well it's what I wanted to achieve
32:51it's got all the original panelling
32:53and I've just cleaned it up
32:55and I've treated it
32:56with beeswax
32:57that is absolutely beautiful
33:01it's so smooth
33:03and you can only get that
33:05really from the age
33:07and process of the timber
33:08and the fact that it's been
33:09left for so long
33:10yes
33:11and is all of this
33:13original
33:13yes it's all original
33:15I'm absolutely lost for words
33:16you and Eddie have
33:17you've got this amazing ability
33:20to really love the materials
33:23that you're working with
33:24yes
33:24yes
33:25it's staggeringly beautiful
33:27brilliant
33:28absolutely brilliant
33:29well done
33:30thank you very much indeed
33:30thank you
33:33this has been a real labour of love
33:36it's an achievement
33:37born out of dedication
33:38and a reminder
33:40that not everything
33:41has to come pre-packaged
33:42or mass-produced
33:46Roland and Eddie
33:48are just brilliant
33:49they've taken such care
33:51and attention
33:52to restore
33:53every single detail
33:54beautifully
33:55using building techniques
33:57that many people
33:58have consigned
33:59to their history books
34:00there's no doubt
34:01that this hut
34:02has been lovingly
34:03brought back to life
34:06in Kent
34:07I met circus street theater
34:09performers
34:10Michael and Alana
34:11who set out to create
34:12a decadent
34:13Victorian mobile theater space
34:15from this run-down caravan
34:17so this could become
34:20like a Victorian time machine
34:21with cogs and chains
34:22and steam pumping out
34:23after just seven weeks
34:26it's unrecognizable
34:38morning Alana
34:39how are you
34:40morning
34:40lovely to see you
34:41very good
34:42yeah
34:42you have done it
34:43yeah
34:43it's done
34:45look at it
34:46yeah
34:46she looks great
34:47doesn't she
34:48fabulous
34:48I just love all the clocks
34:50and all the detail there
34:51on that side elevation
34:52it's beautiful isn't it
34:53yeah
34:53really lovely
34:54interesting
34:55doing a beautiful
34:55where's Michael by the way
34:57hmm
34:58is he in there
34:59yeah
34:59come on open it up
35:01let me see
35:05hello
35:06how you doing
35:10sorry it's a bit smoky in here
35:12come on in
35:13I can't actually see
35:14are you actually in there
35:15or is that just the voice
35:16from above
35:17that's like the bit
35:18when the kind of Wizard of Oz
35:19kind of pops out
35:22welcome
35:23welcome to the wonderful world of
35:25I didn't realise
35:26it was going to be on fire
35:28yeah well you know
35:29dramatic effect
35:30good to see you Josh
35:31how are you man
35:32I'm good mate
35:32I'm good
35:33are you alright
35:33oh what do you think
35:34this is mad museum
35:35I can't see anything yet
35:40can I go inside
35:40you help yourself
35:41go and have a look
35:42I tell you what
35:42the floor looks great
35:43yeah
35:44it ties it together
35:45love all that
35:46that was probably about
35:47the point my foot
35:48went through the floor
35:49wasn't it
35:49yeah I think that's
35:50exactly right actually
35:51but the detail
35:52yeah
35:53it's brilliant
35:54fine detail
35:54takes forever
35:55we try to fill it
35:56so it's just
35:57brimming with stuff
35:59and it's
36:00it's taken every hour
36:01of every day
36:01I don't think we've slept
36:03for weeks
36:03but it's here
36:04it's done
36:09what was once a kitchen
36:11and living space
36:12is now a stage
36:13packed with curiosities
36:15to fire the imagination
36:16of kids
36:17everywhere
36:23all the layers
36:25and layers
36:25and layers
36:26of texture
36:26and paper
36:27and colour
36:29on there
36:29it's fantastic
36:30isn't it
36:30and then we've got
36:32maps
36:32and we've got
36:33little treasure troves
36:34and drawers
36:35and cupboards
36:35all things to just
36:37inspire
36:37and create
36:38this magical world
36:40it's one of those
36:41places that
36:41no matter where you look
36:43there's about
36:44another 150 things
36:45to see
36:46have you used
36:46this place already
36:47the first day
36:48we opened it up
36:49we had this sea
36:50of kids
36:50and families
36:53hello and welcome to Mr. E
36:56it was like a mini rock concert
36:58I thought we were doing
37:00this little show
37:01for you know
37:0160 kids
37:02you know
37:03where some weird stuff happens
37:05and crowds just came
37:06we had a couple hundred people
37:07I think
37:07no way
37:08yeah
37:08for a little caravan show
37:10it was
37:11bonkers
37:12but that's what's beautiful
37:13about how
37:14something as small as this
37:16but that's had so much
37:17TLC
37:18yeah
37:19and real attention
37:20given to all the detail
37:22of it
37:22just inspires people
37:23doesn't it
37:24if it can have a life
37:26and keep
37:27creating joy
37:28and excitement
37:29and play
37:31then it's
37:32it's worth it
37:33absolutely worth it
37:34I can't believe
37:35the transformation
37:35I can't believe
37:37that that
37:38fairly miserable
37:39little 500
37:41caravan
37:42was horrible
37:42that was fallen apart
37:44it was feral
37:45I must admit
37:45I did leave that day
37:47thinking
37:48have they any idea
37:49what they've taken on
37:51and actually
37:51it's probably quite good
37:52you didn't really
37:53no
37:53I don't know
37:53when you think about it
37:54like well
37:55you just have to put
37:55your blinkers on
37:56and go for it
37:58I think there are going
37:59to be many kids
38:00out there
38:01who are going to be
38:01completely inspired
38:03and blown away by this
38:04well done
38:05it's brilliant
38:06fantastic
38:06thank you
38:07you should be well proud
38:21when William and I
38:22designed our treehouse
38:23we started with a
38:24hundred thousand pound
38:25budget
38:26and the desire to create
38:27a spectacular holiday
38:28hideaway
38:29our designs were old
38:31school
38:32well play school
38:33with a circle
38:34a square
38:35and a triangle
38:37at its highest point
38:38the triangular pod
38:40proudly sits
38:4134 feet
38:42above the ground
38:43so lovely
38:44going up the stairs
38:45well
38:45it kind of throws you
38:46off to a view that way
38:47yeah
38:47you can see a little bit
38:48of the tube
38:48love the tube
38:49and a tiny bit of river
38:50and then turn this way
38:51I mean what a vantage point
38:53this is isn't it
38:54however its simple
38:56shingled exterior
38:57hides some rather
38:58spectacular engineering
38:59within
39:00the triangle
39:01oh it's perfect
39:03it's so perfect
39:04I just love
39:05that kind of
39:06classic
39:07alpine
39:08shape
39:09I mean it literally
39:10is like the kind of
39:11the kids drawing
39:12of a Christmas tree
39:13isn't it
39:13yeah
39:14do you know what I mean
39:14the perfectly steep triangle
39:16the minimalist interior
39:17is clad with birch ply
39:19inspired by the natural decor
39:21of the tree houses
39:22I visited in Sweden
39:25everywhere you stand here
39:26you're well and truly
39:28up in the trees
39:29the views out from there
39:31those views are serious
39:34serious views
39:35over the tree tops
39:37right over the top
39:38I mean
39:39and then climbing in
39:40oh man
39:41you can't get more comfortable
39:43than this
39:43it's such a lovely
39:44little bunk space
39:45it's quiet
39:47it's calm
39:47and you get an amazing
39:49views of the clouds
39:50just gently drifting
39:51across that view
39:53through the skylights
39:54and I'll tell you what
39:55to be lying here
39:56and just turn
39:57yeah
39:58and look out of that
39:59this just perfectly
40:01shows how good architecture
40:03and good design
40:03can really capture
40:05very special moments
40:07and beautiful views
40:09this triangular pod
40:10was always designed
40:11to take advantage
40:12of the Kielder night sky
40:14opening up
40:15transforming the space
40:16and the experience
40:19we're nearly in the clouds man
40:21I know
40:21we're above the tree canopy
40:23up in the sky
40:25there are still the safety barriers
40:27to be added
40:28but I can't wait
40:29to see it in action
40:31come on
40:32do it
40:43look at it
40:44I can't believe it
40:54I can't believe it
40:56look at it
40:58look
41:00I think it's going to take off
41:01I feel like I'm in a spaceship
41:05with one push of a button
41:07the half-ton walls
41:08part with ease
41:09to throw open our treehouse
41:11to the glorious surroundings
41:16it's
41:18unbelievable
41:19jeez
41:19I've just got a little bubble there
41:21feel that thing
41:22when you just realise
41:22that you're at that height
41:23oh
41:24my
41:25god
41:30on this build
41:31we've done the unthinkable
41:32we've taken the strongest form
41:34the triangle
41:35and thrown out the rule book
41:37by opening it up
41:44it's unbelievable
41:45the effect is
41:47really amazing
41:49isn't it
41:49we've just let the sky in
41:50suddenly
41:51you're in this tiny contained space
41:53and it opens up
41:54and you suddenly realise
41:55you're standing on a platform
41:56nine metres up in the air
41:58it's going to be so hard
42:00honestly
42:00it's so hard to describe
42:02but it is
42:02what it's like
42:03it's a sensation
42:04because when it was closed
42:06I felt safe as houses
42:08I felt so well protected
42:11I really did
42:12I felt completely safe
42:13and as soon as it's opened
42:14you've gone
42:15whoa
42:15hang on a minute
42:16and you feel quite vulnerable
42:17yeah
42:18all of a sudden
42:19the sound of the river coming in
42:21the wind sweeping through
42:23the sky above
42:24you're completely open
42:25to the elements
42:27this is really powerful man
42:29it is
42:30it's really powerful
42:31it's a proper
42:32it has a proper
42:33amazing effect on you
42:34not only does each pod
42:36have its own unique view
42:38but its own
42:39very individual
42:41experience
42:48I can't quite believe it still
42:50it's one of the most beautiful spaces imaginable
42:53it's amazing how
42:54how true to that first concept it is
42:57and yet that
42:58the epic journey that it's taken to get here
43:01I just think it's clever
43:03it's simple
43:04it's inventive
43:05it's fun
43:06it's charming
43:07it's rustic
43:08it's basic
43:09it works
43:10every single square millimetre
43:12if it works
43:13I can honestly say
43:14I'm really genuinely proud
43:15that we've managed to pull it off
43:18I just think it's going to be so inspiring
43:20for people that stay here
43:25across this series
43:27I've seen some breathtaking projects
43:29from prefab builds
43:31to painstaking restorations
43:33the repurposing of all vehicles
43:35through to very ambitious concept designs
43:38and from £150 to £150,000
43:42I've seen a huge range of budgets
43:45and along the way
43:46I've met enthusiastic amateurs
43:48seasoned professionals
43:50hobbyists
43:51visionaries
43:52and romantics
43:53and what they've taught me
43:55is that with a lot of imagination
43:57and determination
43:58small space designs
44:00can not only be beautiful
44:02but life-changing too
44:31Thunderbird's all go
44:33that is just the most beautiful thing
44:36ever