With Tasmania facing an acute shortage of affordable housing, Launceston architect Jiri Lev believes it is crucial to rethink the current approach to social housing.
Mr Lev, known for his renewable and cost-effective designs, has proposed innovative plans for social housing that could revolutionise the building process.
"The main issue with the current social and affordable housing, and housing in general, is that the government seems to be doing the same old thing and expecting different results," Mr Lev said.
"More suburbia, more mediocre, cookie-cutter bungalow style houses and units, filled with plastic, volatile chemicals, and materials that depend on overseas or interstate supply chains
"Of course, there are notable exceptions, but these are few and far apart. Overall, we're still ruining our landscapes and setting up future generations for more microplastics and toxic waste."
Mr Lev said the renter should be considered in the building process.
"Self-built home schemes should become one of the key pathways to affordable and social housing. Not everyone has the physical strength to build a house, but many do," he said.
"It is possible to design a house in such a way that self-building, even by a single person without prior experience, is a viable and economical option.
"Those in need of housing should be given the opportunity to participate in the construction of their rental homes, with their labour counted towards later ownership transfer, while simultaneously building their skill set and employability."
A prototype home in Tasmania's North has wrapped construction after six months on a budget of $150,000. What's more, it was built by just one person.
Designed by Launceston architect Jiri Lev, the proof of concept was created to be as affordable as possible to incentivise residents to become owner-builders.
With a focus on minimalism, the 120 sqaure metre house uses locally sourced and natural materials wherever possible.
A time-lapse of the construction of 'The Tasmanian Homestead' - a prototype modern home. Supplied video (18/4/24)
In the face of mounting cost of living pressures, Mr Lev said a roof could be put over a family's head "for as little as $50,000" using this design.
"If you're getting a builder to construct your home, it's $400,000 plus these days in Tassie," he said.
"I think it's entirely unnecessary. Anyone can do it, that's the point I'm trying to prove."
The architect is so confident in the design that he's made the plans open source, allowing anyone to access them for free on request.
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