Jiri Lev

Jiri Lev (1979) is a Czech-Australian architect and urbanist, working in the field of sustainable residential, sacred and public architecture, disaster recovery and humanitarian development.

Lev's works are known for their highly varied, regionally specific architectural style, often but not always inspired in traditional architecture, and prolific use of natural, raw and locally sourced construction materials. Lev teaches on sustainable and resilient architecture in lectures, workshops and writing.

Lev first opened his practice Atelier Jiri Lev in 2014.

Quotes

• Like healthcare and legal representation, sustainable, resilient, healthy and beautiful living environment is not a luxury but a pragmatic necessity and a human right.
  • Architects Assist founding statement, 2020.
• [Traditional architecture's] economy, in the natural, evolutionary meaning of the word [means] obtaining best outcomes with minimum possible outlay of energy and resources. Like in nature, this fine-tuned balance usually also leads to aesthetically pleasing results. For practical example, a hi-tech shopping complex full of daring architectural features may be immediately impressive, but never creates a harmonious atmosphere of an old village square – we all know where almost all of us would prefer to live or visit for holidays.
  • Interview for The Hobart Magazine, 2024 (Issue 61 p. 40)

• Beauty is not subjective. We all know where tourists like to take photos and it is not the Australian suburbs. [...] building ugly is not an economic necessity and that beauty pays. We also know that local traditions and strong, unique character draw both tourists and new residents. But none can tell the country nor even the continent from looking at our new inner-city buildings.
  • Interview for Architecture Au, 2025.

• At the end of its life, if allowed, a home should be able to decompose into uncontaminated soil, or at least become a beautiful ruin.
  • Interview for The Hobart Magazine, 2024 (Issue 61 p. 40)
• I'm not reinventing the wheel, I'm reminding people of what the wheel is.
  • Interview for Nine News, 2024
• A building must come from the site, not to it.^{[citation needed]}
• To be truly sustainable, buildings need to be beautiful and timeless so that future generations see value in restoring and preserving them. Abrupt fashion trends and striving for uniqueness at any cost should be avoided.
  • Interview for Sanctuary Magazine, 2022
• I consider self experimentation an architect’s obligation and duty.
  • Interview for Dwell, 2021.
• We don’t need natural disasters. We’re building our own. [...] 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.
  • Interview for Hive Life
• You'll find that it's quite a natural act for a human to build a home.
  • Interview for ABC News