A practical idea born from seeing the devastation of typhoons firsthand.

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The Warrego Project began with Mervyn Penny’s firsthand experience working in the Philippines during the 1990s.

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Mervyn was employed by John Holland Construction of Australia as a Mechanical Supervisor on the Revitalization of the Main Line South Project — a major railway project involving the construction and rehabilitation of more than 400 kilometres of railway line, extending from San Pedro, south of Manila, through to Legazpi City on the east coast of southern Luzon.

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The railway passed directly through the Philippines’ major typhoon belt, exposing Mervyn to some of the most powerful storms experienced in the region.

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During his time on the project, Mervyn witnessed a number of typhoons firsthand. Two particularly severe storms caused extensive destruction throughout the area, damaging homes, buildings and infrastructure and leaving communities facing enormous challenges.

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But something else caught Mervyn’s attention.

Why did some buildings survive while others did not?

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Mervyn became fascinated by the way different types of construction responded to these extreme storms. He began studying buildings that had survived relatively well, as well as those that had suffered only minor damage.

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He looked closely at their construction, structural design and the features that appeared to make them more resilient.

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The question stayed with him:

Could there be a practical, affordable way to help ordinary people build homes that had a better chance of surviving a typhoon or cyclone?

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Mervyn understood that the people living in these regions are often incredibly resourceful. They make the most of what they have, relying on determination, ingenuity and sheer willpower to rebuild after devastating storms.

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He also recognised an important reality:

Not everyone can afford expensive engineering solutions or large-scale construction costs.

 

That became central to his thinking.

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FROM AN IDEA TO A DESIGN

Over the years that followed, Mervyn continued researching storm damage and resilient construction, looking not only at the Philippines but also at other cyclone- and hurricane-prone regions around the world.

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His research extended to Northern Australia, the east coast of the United States — particularly Florida — and other parts of Asia.

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He continued to consider what structural principles could be adapted into a simple, practical and affordable solution for a small bungalow-style home.

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The concept of an exoskeleton particularly intrigued him.

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After years of thought, observation and research, Mervyn developed the concept of a structural frame surrounding the bungalow — using hardwood beams supported by steel posts — designed to provide an additional layer of structural protection around the building.

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The design needed to be:

• Strong

• Practical

• Simple to construct

• Cost-conscious

• Adaptable

• Suitable for cyclone- and typhoon-prone regions

 

And so, the concept of the Warrego was born.

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The name Warrego was chosen after a major river in eastern Australia — a fitting connection to Mervyn’s Australian roots and the project’s practical, down-to-earth philosophy.

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THE WARREGO PROJECT TODAY

After years of research, design, deliberation, hard work and considerable personal investment, Mervyn finally completed the Warrego design.

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But for Mervyn, completing the design was never the end goal.

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The real goal was to share it.

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The Warrego Project is dedicated to helping people in cyclone- and typhoon-prone regions access practical knowledge and innovative construction methods that may help them build safer, stronger and more affordable homes.

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Mervyn's vision is simple:

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If knowledge can help protect a family, it should be shared.

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The Warrego Project aims to make the design plans and information accessible to those who may benefit from them — particularly communities where resources are limited and rebuilding after a major storm can be devastating.

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HELP US SHARE THE WARREGO

The Warrego Project has been developed through years of Mervyn's personal research, work and investment.

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If the Warrego design or information has helped you, a contribution or donation of any size toward Mervyn's mission is greatly appreciated.

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However, a contribution is not the only way you can support the project.

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If you build a Warrego, Mervyn would genuinely love to see it.

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Share your progress, your challenges, your completed build and your story with us.

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Your experience could help someone else.

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Have you built a Warrego?

We'd love to hear from you.

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Please get in touch or email us with photographs and updates of your build.