Lying low in the Lledr Valley in the Eyri (Snowdonia) National Park, Arwel is a five-bedroom house designed by architect Richard Griffin. Built within the stone walls of a 19th-century chapel, the home has a surprisingly modern material palette and mindful approach to energy efficiency. Outside is a quiet plot stretching just shy of an acre, set against a spectacular mountainous backdrop. There are rail connections from Dolwyddelan station, a three-minute walk away, to Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno; the latter has ongoing services to London Euston.

Environmental Performance

The external elements have been specified with very high levels of insulation, triple-glazed windows and rooflights, solar panels, and an air-source heat pump.

The Tour

Designed by an architect for himself and his family, the project was completed in July 2012. Partially hidden behind three cottages along High Street (Pentre Bont), Arwel lies behind the retained walls of the minister’s house, with its three storeys extending to around 2,000 sq ft.

The original stone porchway leads into the entrance hall and through to a bright and expansive open-plan living and dining area; a warm, welcoming room with a large log burner forming a natural focal point, and solid oak underfoot.

Oak-panelled pocket doors reveal the modern kitchen, where a butler sink and appliances are set into lines of bespoke oak joinery, and glazed doors open onto a large, sheltered courtyard garden within the remains of the chapel walls. A shower room and a utility space, complete with Bosch appliances, are also on this level.

Skylights draw light down through the open-tread stairwell rising to the first and second floors. The main bedroom and its ensuite shower room open onto an outside decked terrace, with wonderful views of Moel Siabod, the local mountain. In the far distance, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) can also be seen, as can Dolwyddelan Castle. A dressing room with fitted wardrobes lies to one side.

A galleried landing leads to a family bathroom and two further bedrooms, each with far-reaching views across the surrounding landscape. The upper level houses a fourth bedroom: a particularly bright space with cork flooring, connecting to a smaller fifth bedroom (or home work space), with double doors opening onto another decked terrace.

Outside Space

Set in approximately one acre of land, Arwel is surrounded on three sides by beautiful countryside. A large enclosed courtyard lies off the kitchen, with productive apple and crab-apple trees, a raised sundeck, a large raised and planted border, and a clay wood-fired pizza oven. There is also a small slate-roofed, stone-built outside store, currently used to house bicycles.