Former Block stars reunite for new show, 'Renovate or Rebuild'

There’s no doubt that demand for environmentally responsible homes has soared around the nation. But is it more efficient and affordable to bring a sustainable and stylish design to life through renovating or rebuilding?

That’s the dilemma faced by homeowners in 9Life’s new lifestyle show, Renovate or Rebuild.

Hosted by design aficionado James Treble, the eight-week series sees fan favourites from The Block battling it out to convince a family they have the best solution to produce a more comfortable, spacious, energy-efficient and healthy home.

Representing Queensland are former Block favourites Jimmy and Tam and Michael and Carlene; Andy and Deb and Norm and Jess will battle it out in New South Wales; while Bec and George and Jesse and Mel will represent Victoria.

Whether they’re on Team Renovate or Team Rebuild, The Block alumni jumped at the chance to research and pitch their vision for a true dream home – a beautiful and eminently functional abode that is kind to the planet.

Melbourne couple Jesse Raeburn and Mel Manson – who made their mark on The Oslo in the 2019 series of The Block – were immediately on board.

And with the couple now renovating their own heritage home in the city’s inner south-east, it made perfect sense that they join Team Renovate.

“We wanted to be part of this show because of the fact that we get to help real-life families solve what is one of the biggest choices they have to make – to renovate or rebuild,” says Raeburn, who works in real estate. “To be able to have two teams of experts come and give their advice makes it so much easier for the home owners to make their decision.”

Meanwhile, Jimmy and Tam Wilkins – the record-breaking winners of The Block 2020 with their fifties-inspired house transformation – didn’t hesitate to sign up for Team Rebuild.

• The Block 2021 listings are now live. See them here.

As Jimmy says, eco-friendly living has long been close to his and Tam’s hearts.

“Sustainable design has definitely piqued our interest for some time,” he says, adding: “It’s all of the different aspects of sustainability. With a complete rebuild, you can design the house around saving a lot more money in the long term – using better materials and insulation, highlight windows to capture natural light and the orientation of the house to the north. There’s a plethora of opportunities that will point you in the sustainable direction.”

“It’s something we’ve always been really passionate about,” agrees Tam. “When we were on The Block, we built a LEGO barn and won the challenge. It was a fully sustainable home. At the time, we said it was our dream home – and it absolutely was. Everyone is also aware through The Block that we’re really passionate about mid-century modern architecture – about paying homage to that era while being good to Mother Earth.”

Now running an interior styling business called Captain and Queen, Jimmy and Tam recently bought their first family home – “using the Domain app!” they happily exclaim – on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

“Jimmy is also starting his own plumbing business,” says Tam: “So, all of those things are keeping us pretty occupied at the moment!”

And for both couples, their latest reality TV stint has proven an eye-opening experience of the best kind, providing them with valuable information on everything from passive solar design to insulation.

“Rather than just focusing on the one house, we got to visit a lot of ‘inspo’ houses that have been built sustainably,” says Jimmy. “We learnt a lot and were able to dive a lot deeper into the sustainable world.”

Raeburn concurs: “It’s so important to be as sustainable as possible. It’s obviously fantastic for the environment, but it also improves the way that you live – to have a home that’s well-insulated, with low running costs, and that is more comfortable to live in all year round.”

So will it be renovate or rebuild? We’ll have to watch and see, of course.

“But really,” says Manson, “whatever the home owners decide to do, they win. They’re given two amazing ideas and are free to do what they want.”

Renovate or Rebuild premieres on Channel 9Life on Monday, October 4 at 9pm. From October 11, viewers can tune in from 8.30pm. Nine is the majority shareholder of Domain.