A RAMMED EARTH HOUSE. But you’d never guess from its exterior.

Nestled in the Beaches Estate with views across Munmorah State Recreation Area, the two-storey, four-bedroom home is the perfect location for Rob and Mel’s children – Maisie, 12, and Charlie, 9. The house is deceiving in how it blends into its surroundings until you step through the front door.

‘Growing up around Catherine Hill Bay, we had a deep connection and love for the environment here. It was important to us to show that you can be sustainable even within the restrictions of an estate design,’ says Rob.

Styled with unique, handmade pieces from the Cotterill’s furniture design company, Bespoq, the house’s eco-friendly features include rammed earth walls, a 13 kw solar power system, and a hydronic heating system fuelled by the fireplace.

‘Rammed earth has a high thermal mass and it’s extremely effective at regulating temperatures. We built these walls with the help of family and friends with soil from Goulburn, and it’s been worth it. It can be 40 degrees outside and it will be 20 degrees inside without the need for air conditioning,’ explains Rob.

‘We also had a huge storm hit the property while we were living in Ourimbah during the build. Many trees came down and I thought, “Well, I’m going to need to use these,” and so we changed the design to feature them.’

The Cotterills milled the blackbutt and ironbark timber themselves. It’s now used throughout the house from the front door to the beams, bookshelves, bathroom vanity and even a climbing wall.

The effect is a home that in Mel’s words makes ‘It feel peaceful. We’ve done everything we wanted. It hasn’t been about what is in fashion, it’s been about what we love and something that can last us forever.’