Jiri Lev

Jiri Lev (/ˈjɪrɪ ˈlɛv/, Czech: Jiří Lev) is an Australian building and urban designer, working in the field of sustainable public, residential and disaster-relief architecture.[1]

Jiri Lev
NationalityAustralia, Czechia
EducationMaster of Architecture
Alma materUniversity of Newcastle (Australia)
OccupationBuilding and urban designer
Years active1998–present
OrganizationAustralian Institute of Architects
Known forAdvocacy of and education in sustainable and resilient architecture and urban design
Home townPrague

Lev's works are known for their highly varied, locally appropriate architectural style, rigorous application of sustainable design principles and prolific 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, rejecting globalised design trends as destructive to genius loci.[2][6][7]

Biography

Lev was born in Czechia (then part of Czechoslovakia)[1] to parents Jiri Loew, Czech architect, academic and politician[8][9] 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 studied architecture at the University of Newcastle under Richard Leplastrier and Kerry and Lindsay Clare.[3]

In 2014 Lev founded ArchiCamp,[10][11] an irregular grassroots gathering of accomplished architects and architecture students, introducing the concept of loosely organised, guerilla style events, focused on learning and invited architectural intervention within disadvantaged or disaster-stricken rural communities.[12][13][14]

In response to the 2019-20 Australian bushfires Lev established Architects Assist,[15][16][17] a professional organisation of architects and architecture students providing pro bono assistance to the community, serving as a "platform for equitable access to sustainable and resilient architecture." By February 2020 the organisation represented over two thousand members.[3][18][19]

In early 2020 Lev revealed his plans for a new model settlement in Tasmania addressing the housing and environmental crises. The development proposal was loosely inspired by the cohousing and ecovillage movement as well as traditional European settlements.[20]

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. Whiteman, Hilary. "The Australian architects designing homes to withstand bushfires". CNN. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  7. Chapman, Clare (21 January 2020). "A changing climate: architecture in 2020 and beyond".
  8. Michal, Igor; Loew, Jiri (2003). Krajinný ráz. Lesnicka prace. ISBN 80-86386-27-9.
  9. Kopeček, Pavel; Loew, Jiri; Kucera, Petr (2015). Projevy křesťanské liturgie v kulturní krajině. Mendel University. ISBN 978-80-7509-387-5.
  10. "Architecture in the field: Archicamp 2015". ArchitectureAU.
  11. Virtue, Robert (19 October 2015). "University students design infrastructure for flood-ravaged Dungog". ABC News.
  12. WATSON, ELLE (12 October 2015). "Architects and designers plan projects for flood affected town". Mudgee Guardian.
  13. WATTS, ELLIE-MARIE (22 October 2015). "Students shepherd ideas". Port Stephens Examiner.
  14. SWAIN, EMMA (5 October 2015). "Sustainable architecture gathering comes to Shepherds Ground | PHOTOS". The Maitland Mercury.
  15. "Australian architects offer free design services to bushfire victims". Dezeen. 7 January 2020.
  16. "Architects organize to provide pro-bono services to those affected by Australian bushfires". Archpaper.com. 8 January 2020.
  17. Whish, Bec (16 January 2020). "Architects and interior designers are offering free services to bushfire victims who've lost their homes". Vogue Australia.
  18. "Architect's Assist in rebuilding Australian bushfire ravaged homes". Architecture & Design. 8 January 2020.
  19. "Can architects help bushfire-ravaged communities rebuild?". ArchitectureAU. 7 January 2020.
  20. Compton, Leon (18 February 2020). "Intentional Communities". ABC Radio Hobart.
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