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?

At Andrew Noonan Architect, we design with clarity and purpose—stripping away the unnecessary to create homes that are not only sustainable but deeply comfortable and enduring. 39S House embodies this ethos, reimagining 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.

Situated in Petrie Terrace, the original house suffered from poor thermal performance, exposure to the western sun, and traffic noise. Instead of raising the structure or extending at the rear—common solutions in Queensland—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.

Sustainability is not an add-on but a guiding principle that shapes every decision. Low-embodied-carbon materials take precedence: lightweight timber framing replaces concrete, and reverse brick veneer walls—crafted from reclaimed bricks—provide thermal mass that naturally regulates indoor temperatures. Blackbutt timber, an endemic species to the area is used for flooring, doors, and joinery, while original elements—including cabinetry, downlights, and glazing—are repurposed, ensuring materials are used wisely and with care.

Originally modelled as a 9.8-star NatHERS home, the design was refined and redesigned to 7.7 stars to achieve the lowest whole-life carbon impact. A detailed analysis revealed that the embodied carbon of high-performance double glazing outweighed its operational benefits, leading to a shift to high-quality single glazing in timber frames—a decision that prioritises both sustainability and sufficiency. Every aspect of the home is designed to be just enough—no more, no less—balancing efficiency with enduring comfort.

Powered entirely by renewable energy, the home generates more electricity than it consumes through a rooftop PV system. All-electric appliances eliminate fossil fuel use, and careful refrigerant selection reduces environmental impact. R6 ceiling batts and earthwool space blankets improve insulation, ensuring a stable indoor temperature without the need for mechanical heating and cooling. Water harvesting and low-U-value glazing further enhance efficiency, keeping running costs low while improving day-to-day liveability.

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.