Jiri Lev

Jiri Lev (born 1979, Czechia, /ˈjɪrɪ ˈlɛv/, Czech: Jiří Lev) is an Australian architect working in the field of sustainable public, residential and humanitarian architecture.[1]

Jiri Lev
NationalityAustralia, Czechia
EducationMaster of Architecture
Alma materUniversity of Newcastle (Australia)
OccupationArchitect
Years active1998–present
Known forAdvocacy of and education in sustainable and resilient architecture and urban design

Lev's works are known for their highly varied, locally appropriate architectural style, rigorous application of sustainable design principles and frequent use of natural, near-raw and locally sourced construction materials, such as timber, stone, hempcrete, canite or clay and lime products[1][2][3] (Gulgong Holtermann Museum,[4] Courtyard House[5]).

He teaches sustainable and resilient architecture in lectures, workshops and writing. Promoting regionally specific architectural design, he often refers to vernacular architecture and the principles of new urbanism,[6] rejecting globalised design trends as destructive to genius loci.[2][7][8]

Biography

Lev was born in Czechia (then part of Czechoslovakia)[1] to parents Jiri Loew, Czech architect, academic and politician and Lydie Loewova, architect. Prior to the Velvet Revolution the family was persecuted by the communist regime.[3]

He first established his multidisciplinary design practice in Prague in 1998.[2]

In 2005 he moved to Australia, where he later studied architecture at the University of Newcastle under Richard Leplastrier and Kerry and Lindsay Clare.[3]

In 2014 Lev founded ArchiCamp,[9][10] a grassroots gathering of accomplished architects and architecture students, introducing the concept of loosely organised, guerrilla style events, focused on learning and invited architectural intervention within disadvantaged or disaster-stricken rural communities.[11][12][13]

In response to the 2019-20 Australian bushfires Lev established Architects Assist,[14][15][16] a professional organisation of architects providing pro bono assistance to the community, to serve as a "platform for equitable access to sustainable and resilient architecture." In mid-2020 the organisation represented 600 participating architecture firms and 1500 student volunteers.[3][17][18]

In a 2020 ABC interview[6] a proposal for two model settlements in Tasmania was revealed, addressing the concurrent housing and environmental crises.[19] Masterplanned by Jiri Lev, the proposal was loosely inspired by the cohousing and ecovillage movement as well as traditional European settlements.

References
  1. "Architects Assist offers pro-bono bushfire services". Australian Design Review. 8 January 2020.
  2. "Jiri Lev". MPavilion.
  3. W, Dan (4 March 2020). "The Australian Architects Offering Pro-Bono Design Services to Bushfire Survivors". Hive Life: The people, places and ideas shaping Asia Pacific. The Hive Worldwide.
  4. WATSON, ELLE (26 January 2015). "Gulgong's Holtermann Museum launch reveals first drawings". Mudgee Guardian.
  5. "The Courtyard House". The Owner Builder. 216: 42–43. December 2020 – February 2020.
  6. Compton, Leon (18 February 2020). "Intentional Communities". ABC Radio Hobart.
  7. Whiteman, Hilary. "The Australian architects designing homes to withstand bushfires". CNN. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  8. Chapman, Clare (21 January 2020). "A changing climate: architecture in 2020 and beyond".
  9. "Architecture in the field: Archicamp 2015". ArchitectureAU.
  10. Virtue, Robert (19 October 2015). "University students design infrastructure for flood-ravaged Dungog". ABC News.
  11. WATSON, ELLE (12 October 2015). "Architects and designers plan projects for flood affected town". Mudgee Guardian.
  12. WATTS, ELLIE-MARIE (22 October 2015). "Students shepherd ideas". Port Stephens Examiner.
  13. SWAIN, EMMA (5 October 2015). "Sustainable architecture gathering comes to Shepherds Ground | PHOTOS". The Maitland Mercury.
  14. "Australian architects offer free design services to bushfire victims". Dezeen. 7 January 2020.
  15. "Architects organize to provide pro-bono services to those affected by Australian bushfires". Archpaper.com. 8 January 2020.
  16. Whish, Bec (16 January 2020). "Architects and interior designers are offering free services to bushfire victims who've lost their homes". Vogue Australia.
  17. "Architect's Assist in rebuilding Australian bushfire ravaged homes". Architecture & Design. 8 January 2020.
  18. "Can architects help bushfire-ravaged communities rebuild?". ArchitectureAU. 7 January 2020.
  19. Holmes, Adam (10 June 2020). "Land share idea could ease housing stress in Launceston". The Examiner. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
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