extract individual panels of facet plot to re-arrange

I would like to rearrange a facet plot with 3 panels to have them fit better in a poster presentation. Currently, I have A over B over C (one column), and it is important to keep B over C.

What I would like is to have a square (2x2) presentation, with A over nothing, and B over C.

Can I either extract the individual panels of the plot, or create a facet with no axes or other graphic (like plotgrid with a NULL panel).

Solution

A second option would be the ggh4x package which via facet_manual adds some flexibility to place the panels:

library(ggplot2)
library(ggh4x)

design <- "
AB
#C"

ggplot(mtcars, aes(mpg, disp)) +
  geom_point() +
  facet_manual(~cyl, design = design)