BUILDERS CANBERRA
Building better homes through collaboration
We design and build houses but to us, this business is about humans. The quality of our people and their ability to work harmoniously together for the benefit of our clients (and the planet) is what sets us apart.
It’s a culture in which people are free to share ideas and offer different perspectives. We’re always looking for new and better ways of doing things and this openness helps us find them.
Our timeline
1998
Tom starts his carpentry apprenticeship in Copenhagen
After four Danish winters Tom and his growing family return to Canberra where he completes his apprenticeship
2000
Tom founds Jigsaw Housing Pty Ltd, a partnership between builder, architect and building scientist.
2009
Jigsaw housing splits up and 35 Degrees is formed. Jigsaw Housing continues to trade as Light House Architecture and Science.
2015
SoS and 35 Degrees launch a portfolio of optimised home designs, making architecture more accessible through cost certainty
2022
35 Degrees’ first project is completed with Sense of Space (SoS) architects Silas Gibson and Anthony Dawkins at Tom’s own house.
2020
“35 Degrees was founded out of the conviction that there had to be a better way.”
Tom Henderson
“After starting my carpentry apprenticeship in Denmark, I returned to Canberra driven by the opportunity to create homes that respond intelligently to our local climate—homes that respect our environment, make smart use of resources, and feel good to live in.
To do that, I teamed up with architects, building scientists, and like-minded carpenters to prove something simple: when design, craft, and building science work together from the start, we can deliver homes that are warmer, quieter, more energy-efficient, and genuinely healthier—without breaking the budget.
That spirit of collaboration still drives everything we do at 35 Degrees.
Clients get clear communication and honest updates. Architects get real-time buildability feedback and apprentices learn to seal an air barrier as precisely as a mitre joint.
We’ve built a process that’s as carefully considered as our homes, reducing stress, cost blowouts, and conflict — so that building your home is as satisfying as living in it.”
Our guiding principles
God arbejdslyst
In Denmark, there's a beautiful phrase: "god arbejdslyst." It literally translates to "good work joy"—the pleasure that comes from doing meaningful work well.
The joy of doing work that matters drives us every day. We share the same ambition: creating optimised homes that enhance the daily lives of the people who live in them.
When you work with 35 Degrees, you'll feel this difference—it's in our thoughtful approach, our attention to detail, the passion we bring to every aspect of your project, and the harmony we create between all participants in your building journey.
Accessible architecture
Engaging an architect can feel daunting. What do they actually do? Will they add real value? And will the budget spiral out of control?
In Australia, fewer than 5% of new homes are designed by architects. But we believe good architecture should be more accessible—because when done well, it brings lasting value, better performance, and real joy to everyday living. At 35 Degrees, we're strong advocates for architecture that’s both inspiring and grounded. We love working with architects who combine creative vision with a practical, collaborative mindset.
Our role is to bring greater certainty to the design process. We do this by ensuring construction knowledge and cost awareness are embedded in the brief—before any plans are drawn.
We live by the saying: “Creativity loves boundaries.” When budgets and buildability are clear from the start, they become the framework within which creativity thrives—leading to homes that are inspiring, well-balanced, and beautifully resolved.”
Build Certainty
On our projects, architects and builders work as a unified team, sharing knowledge, solving problems, and maintaining a singular focus on your vision, budget, and timeline.
Construction costs are more predictable because builders inform the design process from the beginning. Timelines are more reliable because potential issues are identified and solved before construction begins. And performance is virtually guaranteed because every decision balances design intent with building practicality.
When your plans meet reality, there are no shock surprises, just smooth execution. We call it Build Certainty.
MEET THE TEAM
Our people
We’re a skilled team of architects, builders, and project managers united by a passion for high-performance homes tailored to Canberra’s climate.
Our team brings experience from projects across Australia and overseas. We practise open-book management, giving our team insight into how the business runs and encouraging shared responsibility and growth.
Continuous learning is part of our culture—through training, mentoring, and collaboration with energy-efficiency experts, we stay at the forefront of sustainable design and construction.
Tom Henderson
Director
Philippe Macleod
Construction Supervisor
Marnie Lynch
Office Manager
Caleb Patterson
Estimator
Richard Adams
Carpenter
Hayden Norton
Carpenter
Archie
Carpenter
MEET THE TEAM
Collaborators
We work closely with a network of trusted architects, engineers, and specialists who share our commitment to intelligent design and sustainable building.
Silas Gibson
SOS Architects
Andrew Pickard
Powerhaus Engineering
