Architects Assist mobilized six hundred firms to support survivors of the 2019 Australian bushfires, a disaster recovery initiative established by Jiri Lev. Operating from a base in Australia, this practitioner focuses on residential, public, and sacred projects that emphasize regional context, raw natural materials, and the deliberate avoidance of synthetic finishes, paints, or plastic components.
Early Career and Education
Born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, in 1979, Lev began his multidisciplinary design practice in Prague during 1998. He eventually relocated to Sydney in 2005. His formal training in architecture took place at the University of Newcastle, where he also established a grassroots architecture festival.
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The work produced by Atelier Jiri Lev frequently draws inspiration from vernacular, traditional, and classical styles. His projects are characterized by a commitment to regionally specific design and the use of locally sourced construction materials. By providing open-source residential designs, he has facilitated widespread replication of his architectural concepts across both Australia and North America. His practice maintains a policy of not entering awards or publicizing private residential commissions.
Humanitarian Initiatives
Beyond his commercial practice, Lev has dedicated significant efforts to humanitarian and philanthropic architecture. This collective of six hundred firms provided professional support to those affected by the fires before the initiative was transitioned to the Australian Institute of Architects. In 2021, he expanded this community-focused work by founding Architekti Pro Bono in the Czech Republic to support victims of the South Moravia tornado.
Key Projects and Political Advocacy
The firm has completed a diverse range of structures, including the 2015 Holtermann Museum, the 2018 Courtyard House, and several Tasmanian projects such as Tasmanian House (2021), Tasmanian Homestead (2023), and Tasmanian House 3 (2025). During the 2025 Tasmanian state election, Lev ran as an independent candidate. His political platform advocated for housing schemes targeting disadvantaged populations, alongside calls for planning regulation reforms, increased transparency, and the implementation of minimum aesthetic standards for new construction to ensure local character is maintained.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, Brno
- Citizenship: Australia and Czechoslovakia
- Education: University of Newcastle
- Relocated to Sydney: 2005
- Practice established: 1998
- Notable initiative: Architects Assist
Questions readers ask
What is Jiri Lev's primary approach to materials?
He prioritizes the use of raw, natural, and locally sourced construction materials while avoiding synthetic treatments, plastics, and paints.
Did Jiri Lev hold political office?
He stood as an independent candidate in the 2025 Tasmanian state election but the material does not record him holding office.
Achievements
- Trained at University of Newcastle
