Wetlands House by Wolveridge Architects, Merricks, Australia

Set within the rural landscape of Merricks on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Wetlands House is a carefully crafted sustainable residence that replaces a dilapidated farmhouse with a contemporary, environmentally responsive home. Designed by Wolveridge Architects and completed in 2022, the 372-square-meter house reflects a deep collaboration between architect and client, resulting in a timeless rural dwelling grounded in place, material honesty, and long-term adaptability.

Conceived for a hands-on artist and tradesperson couple, the project brief extended well beyond a conventional replacement dwelling. Sustainability was not an added feature but a core driver of the design process. One of the most significant interventions was the removal of an existing non-permeable tennis court, replaced instead with wetlands that restore ecological function to the site while improving water management and biodiversity. This landscape strategy establishes the environmental ethos that defines the entire project.

The architectural form is organized around solar passive design principles, carefully orienting living spaces to maximize natural light and thermal performance. Zoning within the home allows portions of the house to be isolated using sliding doors, significantly reducing operational energy when only part of the dwelling is in use. An air-source heat pump combined with hydronic radiant heating further enhances energy efficiency, ensuring year-round comfort with minimal environmental impact.

Material selection plays a crucial role in connecting the house to its rural context. Reclaimed granite stone sourced from the local Hillview quarry forms the external wall of the stair void and fireplace, grounding the building both visually and materially in its landscape. This robust dry-stacked stonework is balanced with ship-lap hardwood timber cladding, a contemporary interpretation of traditional Australian farm cottages. Internally, rich Australian hardwood lines many wall surfaces, minimizing the use of plasterboard and reinforcing the tactile, handcrafted character of the home.

Despite its generous scale, Wetlands House was designed with an “empty nest” lifestyle in mind. The primary living areas can be comfortably occupied on a single level, allowing the house to feel intimate rather than oversized. The floor plan is carefully zoned around an east-facing courtyard, which acts as a spatial and social heart, linking private family areas with more open entertaining spaces. Each room maintains a strong visual and physical connection to the surrounding gardens, reinforcing indoor, outdoor living throughout the year.

The kitchen is deliberately set apart as a cozy, informal family space, encouraging daily interaction and shared routines. Bedrooms and bathrooms maintain the same material restraint, with warm timber finishes, generous glazing, and carefully controlled views that respond to both privacy and landscape.

Responding to the established character of the neighborhood: defined by large setbacks, mature trees, and expansive sites, the architects introduced a substantial basement for storage, allowing the above-ground form to remain visually light. The first floor is intentionally minimized to reduce perceived bulk, ensuring the house sits comfortably within its tree-lined surroundings.

Crucially, the clients’ long-term knowledge of the site informed many design decisions. Their understanding of seasonal weather patterns, prevailing winds, and valued views shaped the architectural response, reinforcing a shared ambition to create enduring architecture that works with, rather than against, its environment. Wetlands House stands as a thoughtful example of contemporary Australian residential architecture, where sustainability, craftsmanship, and lived experience converge.

All photographs are works of  Derek Swalwell