At the beginning of last year, Tasmanian architect Jiri Lev was a novice architect with no practical experience in construction.
Still, he was able to build his own home in six months for an affordable $150,000, about one-third the price of a standard new home.
He designed his own plans for a house in northern Tasmania with simplicity and ease of construction in mind.
Now, he has made the plan available to everyone for free as an open source document in the hope that others will share his vision.
Lev's 120 square meter home was built with simple materials (about 90% sourced from within the state), including hardwood floors, pine and Australian BlueScope steel.
“Going local saves costs and lead time,” says Leff.
It was “surprisingly easy” for someone with no experience to build the house, Leff said, adding that it didn't matter that he was an architect.
“Of course, being an architect is an advantage in terms of knowing the design side of things and regulations, but I didn't know anything about architecture,” Lev says.
“I had to learn everything like everyone else.”
Leff said that while the idea of building your own home may seem scary and complicated to many people, most people should be able to follow his design.
Mr Lev said the traditional structure of his Tasmanian Homestead avoids some design techniques used in modern architecture, such as roof trusses that require cranes and multiple personnel. Told.
Instead, Lev's design prioritizes the same building techniques that our ancestors would have used to build their homes.
“We're not trying to reinvent the wheel,” Leff said.
“The main purpose is to remind people what a wheel is. I use design principles that have been passed down in Australia for hundreds of years.
“It is designed to be assembled in stages, so the average able-bodied person can put it all together.
“That's how our ancestors traditionally built their homes brick-to-brick or stick-to-stick.”
Lev said he used online resources such as YouTube to research how each step of the building process was done.
“Once I took it one step at a time, it was surprisingly easy. That's why I'm so passionate about getting people down this path,” he said.
Lev had contractors help with the plumbing and electrical work, but he said the cost of building the house was still relatively low.
“I had a plumber and an electrician. Those jobs have to be done,” Leff said.
“They were in the budget, as was the septic system, so the total cost was $150,000 plus my time.”
Tasmanian Homestead's design minimizes the use of chemicals and the wood in the walls is left untreated. Natural oils are used to prevent stains on hardwood floors.
It also includes sustainable features such as a unique 'convection door' designed by Lev, which allows the top panel to be opened during winter to allow heat to escape freely.
Mr Lev said the home's open-plan design meant it was more suited to a rural setting than a suburban one.
“This is really designed for rural environments where there aren't as many privacy constraints,” Leff said.
“It's suitable for people who can't afford to live in the city, so they might have bought cheaper land.”
Lev said he has a passion for traditional, beautiful and well-proportioned homes, and making his plans accessible and open source was an easy decision.
“Not everyone can afford to build a home these days, so if you can save them $15,000 to $20,000 by giving them something for free, why wouldn't you? It costs me nothing,” Lev said.
However, Leff said anyone accessing his plans will need to hire a local draftsman to ensure the designs meet local requirements such as shading.
Mr Lev said his mansion would be suitable for an ecovillage or government social housing scheme and could also help renters enter the market.
“Homes don't have to be conventional; all you need is a pinch of imagination,” Leff says.
“We have a lot of able-bodied men who are demotivated in some way and may be living in public housing with their families.Many of them are definitely keen to work. I think there may be obstacles in finding a job.
“Imagine if these people could build their own homes for their families, while also learning a trade and starting a career.”
Lev said he hopes his work inspires others to see what's possible.
“Even in today's world, it's actually very easy and straightforward to build your own home.
“This isn't just something that was done in the '50s. It's just as relevant and looks great today.”