39S House

A Measured Response to Climate, Comfort, and Place

How can a 19th-century worker’s cottage be adapted for contemporary family living while remaining resilient to the challenges of the 21st century?

39S House reimagines a traditional Brisbane worker’s cottage with an approach that is measured, efficient, and responsive to place. The result is a home that feels good to live in—cooler in summer, warmer in winter, and naturally ventilated year-round—without excess or waste.

White two-story house with vertical siding, front porch, and balcony, surrounded by greenery under a clear blue sky.

Situated in the inner city of Brisbane, the original house suffered from poor thermal performance, exposure to the western sun, and traffic noise. The design works with the home’s existing form, carefully reorienting key spaces to improve light, airflow, and acoustic comfort. A new two-storey extension to the west acts as a protective buffer, shielding the home from heat and noise while optimising northern light and cross-ventilation.

A dining room with a wooden table, black chairs, a large potted plant, and large windows that allow natural light to create shadows on the wall. There is also a round decorative mirror on the wall.

"The home was carefully designed to find the right balance between energy efficiency and material sufficiency—optimising thermal performance while reducing carbon intensive material use to delivers a more sustainable outcome across the building’s full lifecycle. Every aspect of the home is designed to be just enough —no more, no less—balancing efficiency with enduring comfort.

Interior view of a modern home with wooden flooring, a built-in niche with plants, and a view of the backyard patio with outdoor furniture and greenery.
Living room with a beige sofa, wooden coffee table, and large potted plants, illuminated by natural light through window and glass door.
A green leafy plant in front of a white metal building with vertical panels and a wooden-framed glass door, illuminated by sunlight.
A white outdoor structure with vertical slats, surrounded by green leafy plants and grass. There is a small blue mailbox or decorative item on the right side.

Beyond performance, the design embraces Brisbane’s subtropical climate. By pulling the built form closer to the street, a generous northern garden is prioritised over built footprint—a space that cools the home while creating a tranquil outdoor retreat. A stepped living and dining area blurs the boundary between inside and out, encouraging cross-ventilation and passive cooling. Deep roof overhangs, operable timber screens, and carefully placed openings allow the house to breathe, eliminating the need for air conditioning.

Interior view of a modern home with wooden floors, a staircase, potted plant, and a living area with beige sofas.
Open glass doors revealing a living room with potted plants, bookshelves, and a ceiling fan, with outdoor greenery visible through windowed walls.

At its core, 39S House is about sufficiency, resilience, and connection to place—neither overbuilt nor underprepared, but finely tuned to its environment. It demonstrates that Queensland’s timber cottages can not only endure but thrive, offering a model for living that is lighter on the planet but richer in experience.

Hallway with wooden steps leading to a door with colorful stained glass window panels, a woven hanging lamp, and a framed picture on the wall.

Interior Area: 197sqm
Life-Cycle Carbon Reduction: 103% reduction
Annual Energy Production: 8.04MWh (6.5 kW System)
Annual Energy Consumption: 5.59MWh
NatHERS Rating 7.7 Stars

Construction: Drifter Building Co.