Merricks House occupies a rural site in south-east of Melbourne with a calm confidence, a balancing monumentality and a finely tuned relationship to the landscape. Positioned above a flood plain and oriented toward expansive forest views to the south, the house responds to environmental constraints through manipulation of form, material robustness, and careful manipulation of light.

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The building is sited along a subtle rise in the land, using this level change to mitigate flood risk while establishing a strong horizontal presence across the site. A linear plan organises the home as a sequence of interconnected spaces, eliminating residual or unused areas and allowing daily life to unfold without reliance on corridors. A series of articulated forms creates separation between functions, offering both privacy and openness within a cohesive architectural language.

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While the site opens to long views over native vegetation and a nearby creek, northern light is drawn deep into the plan through a monopitch roof and strategically placed skylights. A concrete frame and masonry walls provide durability and weight, anchoring the building within its landscape, while timber is used generously to soften and warm the interiors. Concrete columns establish a rhythmic façade, setting up a deliberate contrast between the ordered structure of the building and the informality of its natural surroundings. Circular openings puncture the masonry, introducing moments of surprise and carefully framed views.