Features

Sustainability features

Figtree Cottage of Milton is constructed of hempcrete - a building material used for hundreds of years in Japan and the UK. Hempcrete has wonderful passive heating and cooling properties. This avoids the need for drying aircon. The cottage has a wood fireplace with trivet for keeping your coffee pot warm, and a ceiling fan. Hemp also has excellent acoustics and an amazing feel that creates a sense of calm. And it is totally recyclable at end-of-life (though it should outlast our grandbabies!).

The concrete floor is coated with linseed oil - a lovely natural product with no VOCs (volatile organic compounds - usually noticeable in synthetics by a nasty vapour odour).

Figtree Cottage is built on the site and footprint of the original single brick, asbestos, termite ridden dairy. Good timbers and other reclaimed materials have been used in the frame and interior fittings of the cottage. you can read more about it in our guest book.

Wastewater is treated on site, and rainwater collected from the roof for toilets and garden. Solar panels on the main residence provide power to the Cottage. We recycle and compost on site.

An outdoor pergola, BBQ area and seating is a great place to enjoy a morning coffee or evening drink watching the sun set over the beautiful Budawangs.