Jiri Lev

"Like healthcare and legal representation, sustainable, resilient, healthy and beautiful living environment is not a luxury but a pragmatic necessity and a human right."

"[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."

"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."

"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."

"I'm not reinventing the wheel, I'm reminding people of what the wheel is."

"A building must come from the site, not to it."

"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."

"I consider self experimentation an architect’s obligation and duty."

"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."

"You'll find that it's quite a natural act for a human to build a home."