Jiri Lev
Jiri Lev | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1979 |
| Citizenship | Australia, Czech Republic |
| Alma mater | University of Newcastle (Australia) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Style | Contextualism[citation needed] |
Jiri Lev (born 1979, /ˈjɪrɪ ˈlɛv/, Czech: Jiří Lev) is an Australian architect working in the field of sustainable residential, sacred, public and humanitarian architecture.[1]
Lev's works are known for their highly varied, regionally 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] (Courtyard House[3], Tasmanian House[4]). He teaches on sustainable, resilient and restorative architecture in lectures, workshops and writing.
Early life
Lev was born in the Czech Republic, then part of Czechoslovakia.[1] His father is Jiri Loew, architect, academic and politician and his mother is Lydie Loewova, architect. He was educated at a grammar school in Brno, Moravia.[5]
He first established his multidisciplinary design practice in Prague in 1998.[2] In 2005 he moved to Sydney, Australia and became an Australian citizen in 2014.[6]
Career
Lev studied architecture at the University of Newcastle under Richard Leplastrier and Kerry and Lindsay Clare.[5] There he founded ArchiCamp,[7][8] a grassroots architecture festival focused on networking, learning and invited architectural intervention in disadvantaged or disaster-stricken rural communities.[9][10][11]
In 2014 Lev started his own architectural practice Atelier Jiri Lev, undertaking his first architectural commission, the Holtermann Museum. The community driven project located in Gulgong, New South Wales involved the restoration and additions to two heritage buildings featured on Australian banknotes.
In response to the 2019-20 Australian bushfires Lev established Architects Assist,[12][13][14] an organisation of Australian architects providing pro bono disaster recovery assistance to the community, as a platform for equitable access to sustainable and resilient architecture. In 2020 the organisation represented 600 participating architecture firms.[5][15][16]
In a 2020 ABC interview[17] a proposal by Lev for two model ecovillage developments in Tasmania was revealed, addressing the concurrent housing and environmental crises.[18] The settlements were inspired by the cohousing and ecovillage movement and traditional European villages.
After the 2021 South Moravia tornado Lev founded Architekti Pro Bono, an initiative of Czech architects assisting the victims.[19]
Philosophy
Lev promotes regionally specific architectural styles, with notions of locality and regionality clearly front of mind.[20] In his design he references and interprets local vernacular architecture. He also refers to the principles of new urbanism.[17] He claims that globalised design trends are highly destructive to the identity and spirit of places where they are introduced.[2][21][22]
His approach has been described as "design for an economy of means, a generosity of ends."[23]
Most of Lev's work relies on natural, near-raw and locally sourced construction materials, avoiding or minimising the use of chemical treatments, plastics and synthetic paints. His buildings have been called "almost edible."[23]
Lev's practice has delivered a number of pro bono and community projects via workshops and student engagement.[24] It occasionally publishes architectural plans for sustainable homes free of charge.[3][25]
The atelier is known not to photograph or publicise its projects (with few notable exceptions) and not to submit its work for awards.[26]
Selected works
| Name | Location | Country | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulgong Holtermann Museum[27] | Gulgong, NSW | Australia | 2014-2018 |
| Courtyard House[3] | Hunter Valley, NSW | Australia | 2017-2018 |
| Tasmanian House[20][23][28] | Tasmania | Australia | 2021 |
References
- ^ a b c "Architects Assist offers pro-bono bushfire services". Australian Design Review. 8 January 2020.
- ^ a b c "Jiri Lev". MPavilion.
- ^ a b c "The Courtyard House". The Owner Builder. 216: 42–43. December 2019 – February 2020.
- ^ "Atelier Jiri Lev, Sasha Lev · Tasmanian House". Divisare. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ "Mudgee Guardian". 20 August 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Architecture in the field: Archicamp 2015". ArchitectureAU.
- ^ Virtue, Robert (19 October 2015). "University students design infrastructure for flood-ravaged Dungog". ABC News.
- ^ WATSON, ELLE (12 October 2015). "Architects and designers plan projects for flood affected town". Mudgee Guardian.
- ^ WATTS, ELLIE-MARIE (22 October 2015). "Students shepherd ideas". Port Stephens Examiner.
- ^ SWAIN, EMMA (5 October 2015). "Sustainable architecture gathering comes to Shepherds Ground | PHOTOS". The Maitland Mercury.
- ^ "Australian architects offer free design services to bushfire victims". Dezeen. 7 January 2020.
- ^ "Architects organize to provide pro-bono services to those affected by Australian bushfires". Archpaper.com. 8 January 2020.
- ^ Whish, Bec (16 January 2020). "Architects and interior designers are offering free services to bushfire victims who've lost their homes". Vogue Australia.
- ^ "Architect's Assist in rebuilding Australian bushfire ravaged homes". Architecture & Design. 8 January 2020.
- ^ "Can architects help bushfire-ravaged communities rebuild?". ArchitectureAU. 7 January 2020.
- ^ a b Compton, Leon (18 February 2020). "Intentional Communities". ABC Radio Hobart.
- ^ Holmes, Adam (10 June 2020). "Land share idea could ease housing stress in Launceston". The Examiner. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ "Pomoc postiženým tornádem nabízejí i architekti - Novinky.cz". www.novinky.cz. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Tasmanian House | Jiri Lev". Architecture & Design. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ Whiteman, Hilary. "The Australian architects designing homes to withstand bushfires". CNN. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ^ Chapman, Clare (21 January 2020). "A changing climate: architecture in 2020 and beyond".
- ^ a b c "Tasmanian House Shows How to 'Make the Most Out of Quite Little'". Treehugger. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "A sustainable design response to Australia's housing crisis". Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ Davison, Sarah (28 August 2021). "Big dreams for small home". The Examiner. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ "Architektura jako poslání - MINUTA". ARCHIZOOM.CZ (in Czech). 3 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ^ WATSON, ELLE (26 January 2015). "Gulgong's Holtermann Museum launch reveals first drawings". Mudgee Guardian.
- ^ "Tasmanian House / Atelier Jiri Lev". ArchDaily. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.