Ann and Alan Gee designed and built a new residence and office on their property located at 20 Eleventh Avenue in Sawtell.
Having moved to Sawtell in 1979 with the idea of setting up a small architectural practice for Ann and a landscaping business for Alan, the couple bought the 20 Eleventh Avenue property where they built a home to the rear of the block in 1985. The existing fibro shack on the site was turned into an office.
When the shack was beyond repair, Ann and Alan Gee decided to build a showcase residence and office for the practice. The Gee Residence and g2 architects Studio is a modernist light filled home and office and stands out for its use of new and experimental technologies.
For instance, the building structure is ZEGO ICF permanent formwork with concrete infill – a construction method that makes the building beautifully quiet and thermally stable. Key features also include invisible air conditioning; solar heated in-slab hydronics; tectonic timber flooring made from oak and a stone composite core; Symonite wall finish in bathrooms instead of tiles; solar heated hot water system with ringmain; Accoya acetylated wood; handmade timber lights and lit stair hand rail; custom handmade timber doors; mainline power track and more.
The building’s clever and economical layout incorporates an architecture studio, a two-bedroom residence, second storey entertaining area and lap pool, generous double garage and a workshop, all accommodated on only 400 square metres of land, while preserving a sense of openness, space and privacy.
