Jiri Lev

Jiri Lev (1979) is a Czech-born Australian architect.

Quotes

• We don’t need natural disasters. We’re building our own.
• Like healthcare and legal representation, sustainable, resilient, healthy and beautiful living environment is not a luxury but a pragmatic necessity and a human right. (Access to sustainable, resilient, healthy and beautiful living environments is not a luxury, but a pragmatic necessity and an often neglected human right.)
• I consider self experimentation an architect’s obligation and duty.
• Complementary architecture is rooted in comprehensive understanding of local conditions and context. It aims to contribute to the environment in a way that improves or emphasises its pre-existing qualities. It occurs at the intersection of local pattern and design languages. [...] Complementary Architecture is not a rigorous methodology or production system but rather a set of overarching, intertwined, indispensable ideals and principles.
• I don’t think pro bono work [in architecture] is very common and that is because sustainable and resilient architecture is not currently viewed as a necessity. Unfortunately, it takes large scale disasters to expose the failures and negligence in design and construction.
• A real change towards a better environment can only begin with better design available for everyone, everywhere. Until the government realises this and provides adequate legislation and funding, we need to do this pro bono – free for the public good.