Tour of 39S House

Brisbane Open House celebrates Brisbane's architecture, design and heritage and offers behind-the-scenes access to buildings across the city. In 2025, Brisbane Open House will open more than 90+ buildings across Greater Brisbane on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July. Visit www.brisbaneopenhouse.com.au for more details.

Brisbane Open House

How can a 19th-century worker’s cottage be adapted for contemporary family living? 39S House is about sufficiency, resilience &amp; connection.

How can a 19th-century worker’s cottage be adapted for contemporary living and today’s environmental challenges?Designed by Andrew Noonan Architects, 39S House reimagines a traditional Brisbane cottage with clarity, care, and minimal waste. The result is a sustainable, comfortable home that’s cooler in summer, warmer in winter, and naturally ventilated year-round.Located in Petrie Terrace, the original house had poor thermal performance, harsh western exposure, and traffic noise. Instead of raising or extending, the design works with the existing form—reorienting key spaces to enhance light, airflow and acoustic comfort. A new two-storey western addition buffers heat and noise while inviting in northern light and cross-breezes.Sustainability drives every decision: reclaimed bricks provide thermal mass; blackbutt timber, native to the area, is used for floors and joinery; and original fixtures are repurposed. An early 9.8-star NatHERS design was refined to 7.7 stars to reduce whole-of-life carbon impact—choosing single glazing over high-embodied-carbon alternatives.A rooftop solar array powers the all-electric home, while insulation, water harvesting, and smart material choices keep energy use low. Indoors and out are tightly connected: a northern garden offers respite and passive cooling, while operable timber screens and deep overhangs help the home breathe.At its heart, 39S House is about sufficiency and connection to place—proof that Queensland’s worker’s cottages can still meet the moment.The 2025 Houses Program is presented in partnership with the Australian Institute of Architects’ QLD Chapter and its Members.Please note: tickets for the 2025 Houses Program are non-refundable.

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