Thinking and Building Outside the Box: Tom Henderson’s 35 Degrees Vision
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Tom Henderson is an Australian-born, Danish-trained carpenter-turned-builder whose company, 35 Degrees, approaches homebuilding with a fresh perspective.
Drawing from the Northern European tradition of thoughtful, energy-efficient construction, Tom focuses on homes that are built to last—offering their occupants a higher quality of life, lower running costs, and a significantly reduced environmental impact.
Specialising in both knock-down rebuilds and renovations, Tom takes particular satisfaction in transforming people’s experience of Canberra’s cold winters. As the old Scandinavian saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather – only inappropriate clothing.” The same, he says, applies to homes. By reimagining cold, draughty, poorly ventilated houses as bespoke, solar-passive homes, his team creates living environments that are comfortable, healthy, and in harmony with the natural environment – while maintaining a minimal carbon footprint.
Tom began his carpentry apprenticeship in Copenhagen, where he quickly connected with the craftsmanship, tradition, and pride that define Northern European building culture. It was also in Denmark that he met his wife, Nella.
After four grey Danish winters, Tom convinced Nella to return with him – and their young family – to Australia, in search of blue skies and warm Canberra summers.
He jokes that Nella’s frequent complaints about how cold and draughty Australian homes were helped steer his career.
“I was constantly hearing her complain about how cold and draughty Australian homes were. So that became my focus.”
After earning his building licence in Australia, Tom founded Tom Henderson Design and Construction in 2005. A few years later, he co-founded Jigsaw Housing, alongside an architect and a building scientist. The company quickly became one of the region’s leading sustainable design and construction firms.
It was during this period that Tom came to deeply value the collaborative relationship between builder, architect, and client.
In 2015, Tom launched 35 Degrees – a name that reflects Canberra’s latitude and the company’s commitment to designing homes suited to its unique climate.
Since then, he has continued to embrace a collaborative model, working closely with Sense of Space Architects, Silas Gibson and Anthony Dawkins. Together, they offer clients a truly integrated experience – combining design and construction from day one.
“The value of having an architect and builder working together from the start is that you avoid the classic problem of a beautiful design that ends up over budget,” Tom explains.
“With a collaborative team, you clarify priorities early, align the design with your budget, and ensure a smooth transition from concept to construction to move-in day.
“If an optimised home is the goal, it requires a new kind of partnership – one where neither architect nor builder leads, but where both work side by side for the benefit of the client.”
Tom believes Canberra is uniquely suited to this way of thinking.
“Canberra’s different to other capitals. We’ve got some of the coldest winters, as well as hot summers, and a cosmopolitan population – many of whom have lived abroad and experienced better quality housing.”
He adds, “We also have the highest average education levels in the country, and that means there’s a real appetite here for smarter homes—homes that respond to the Canberra climate and deliver genuine performance, not just appearances.”
Every project at 35 Degrees begins with site orientation – maximising winter sun and balancing light and shade to ensure year-round comfort and efficiency.
“We start with solar passive design,” says Tom. “Our climate is perfect for it. That free and abundant winter sun heats the home, storing warmth in thermal mass like polished concrete floors. Then we insulate with care to create a stable, comfortable temperature throughout the day and night. It just makes sense.”
Material choices are equally thoughtful. Tom and his team prioritise durable, natural materials that perform well over time and are constantly exploring new products and construction methods to further reduce their carbon footprint.
As homes near completion, airtightness testing is conducted – standard practice in Europe but still uncommon in Australia.
“Using powerful blowers and pressure sensors, we measure how airtight the building is and seal any leaks we find,” Tom explains. “For us, it’s not optional. It’s a key part of our commitment to precision, performance, and sustainability.”
As advocates for considered design, Tom and the team at 35 Degrees are committed to making high-quality, climate-responsive architecture more accessible to everyday Canberrans. One way they’re achieving this is by building more certainty into the design process.
They’ve developed a range of energy-efficient home designs, pre-optimised for a variety of Canberra block types and orientations. These designs serve as helpful starting points – opening up conversations and making it easier for clients to begin the design and construction journey with clarity and confidence.
Ready to Build Differently?
You can explore 35 Degrees’ portfolio of completed homes and learn more about their process at 35d.com.au.
