We often talk about timber in terms of sustainability, efficiency and aesthetics. In this session we examine what happens when those ideas are taken out of theory and applied by a single person designing and building their own home. In this webinar, architect and owner-builder Jiri Lev shares insights from his Tasmanian House journey.
A multi-year, hands-on exploration of designing, detailing and constructing timber-based homes with simple tools and a strong focus on material honesty. Working largely alone, Lev’s projects challenge conventional separations between architect, builder and occupant, offering a rare, ground-truth perspective on how architectural specification building products collide and perform in real conditions. The session explores how timber has been used structurally, materially and spatially across his projects, from framing strategies and sequencing, through to detailing, durability and long-term performance.
Rather than presenting idealised outcomes, Lev reflects on the practical realities, trade-offs and lessons learned when theory meets the constraints of time, budget and labour.
This webinar offers designers, engineers and builders a candid look at timber construction through the lens of lived experience. It highlights what timber enables, where it demands respect, and how thoughtful design decisions can make small-scale, high-quality housing both achievable and repeatable.