G and T RENO
Transforming a suburban box into a home for indoor-outdoor living
2017, Blairgowrie, Randburg, South Africa
Area: 220m²
Project team: Nadine Clarke, Rivka Schulman, Deandra Farinha
Contractor: JS Constructions
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The G and T Reno project represents a bold and imaginative renovation that redefines what was once a modest developer-built suburban box. Through thoughtful design and careful execution, this small and ordinary house has been transformed into a bespoke home with volumes of natural light, generous open-plan living, and a seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces.
Designed for two Art Directors, the renovation was shaped by their creative outlook and specific lifestyle needs. At its heart, the project demonstrates how a straightforward structure can be reimagined into a residence full of character, personality, and purpose.
G and T Reno: A Creative Brief with Clear Goals
The starting point for the G and T Reno was the clients’ desire to move away from the limitations of the standard suburban box home. Their vision was to create a space that embraced openness, light, and connection, both between the various parts of the home and with the outdoors.
The brief highlighted several key requirements:
- Removal of the existing grey tile roof, which limited the home’s proportions and created a dated aesthetic.
- The creation of a large open-plan living space to better suit entertaining and day-to-day living.
- An en-suite bathroom for the main bedroom, improving functionality and privacy.
- A dedicated room for an inherited billiards table, a meaningful family piece that needed a permanent place within the home.
With these priorities in mind, the design process sought to balance practical improvements with aesthetic ambition, ensuring that every change contributed to both function and overall cohesion.
Reshaping the Layout: From Box to Flow
The most striking intervention was the reconfiguration of the home into a connected indoor-outdoor living environment. The new design introduced a reconfigured roof with high-level windows, dramatically increasing the amount of daylight filtering into the home while creating a sense of volume and airiness in what had previously been a compact interior.
At the centre of this transformation was the new open-plan living space, which forms the core of the home. This expansive area opens directly onto a newly built patio, creating a fluid relationship between inside and outside. The patio acts as a linking element, tying together the main living areas with the outbuilding.
The outbuilding, once a separate and somewhat disconnected structure, was repurposed to house the billiards room. This decision gave new life to an underutilised space while ensuring the billiards table, an inherited piece of personal significance, became integrated into the daily rhythm of the home.
G and T Reno: New Bedroom and En-Suite Arrangement
A significant part of the renovation involved rethinking the bedroom configuration. On the east side of the patio, a new main bedroom was introduced, anchoring the outdoor living space. This placement not only gave the main bedroom a stronger presence but also allowed it to connect visually and physically with the newly designed patio.
The existing main bedroom was converted into an en-suite bathroom. This adaptation improved privacy for the homeowners while maximising the use of existing structures. The reallocation of rooms ensured that the renovation delivered on the brief without unnecessary demolition or wasted space.
A Brave and Personal Transformation
The G and T Reno demonstrates how a renovation can completely redefine a space. What was once a modest, standard suburban box has become a home filled with light, openness, and connection.
For the two Art Directors who call it home, the renovation not only delivered on their practical needs, a new main bedroom, an en-suite bathroom, and space for their billiards table, but also reflected their creative sensibilities and lifestyle. By prioritising indoor-outdoor living and rethinking how existing spaces could be used, the project delivered a home that is both functional and uniquely personal.
Meik is ready to collaborate with you. We specialise in translating unique visions into functional, beautiful spaces that stand the test of time.
📞 Nadine: 082 809 1970
📞 Studio: 011 025 8318
📧 Email: info@meik.co.za