In an era of chronic housing shortages and sky-high mortgage rates, the idea of building a debt-free home with your own hands might feel like a dream. Architect Jiri Lev, however, proposes that it can be done. With his second self-built home, Tasmanian House 3, the Czech-born Australian architect hopes to prove that a family can build a healthy, sustainable home for less than the cost of a typical deposit.

The result is a 645-square foot, two-bedroom cottage built on a shoestring budget of $72K (plus about $50K for land). The build cost covers materials, permits, and the handful of licensed trades Lev didn’t have the expertise to take on himself (electrician, plumber, and building surveyor)—and it’s less than a third of the $230K quote he got from a local builder.

$49,629 Land	$2,992 Foundation	$19,211 Structural
$2,463 Wall Finishes	$2,947 Flooring	$1,668 Roofing
$640 Hardware	$5,567 Electrical	$5,772 Plumbing
$1,921 HVAC Equipment	$1,281 Landscaping	$1,281 Kitchen & Bath Fixtures
$1,366 Lighting	$1,921 Cabinetry	$961 Countertops
$740 Appliances	$7,850 Windows & Glazing	$640 Doors
$1,823 Millwork	$2,561 Furnishings & Decor	$3,062 Permitting
$64 Waste Removal	$5,377 Other
Grand Total: $121,737 USD ($190,103 AUD)

Lev was inspired to build his own home after being on-site during the construction of the first cabin he designed for his family in 2021. He sold the cabin and, with his newly gained knowledge—and a lot of YouTube instruction—decided to build a three-bedroom home, Tasmanian House 2. To encourage others to take on the challenge, he made the plans available to download, for free.

Lev calls his third project more of a “teaching house,” designed as a “proof of concept” rather than a home for his family (although they are currently living between Tasmanian House 2 and Tasmanian House 3).

Not only did Lev again make the drawings readily available through his website, but he also started an Instagram account (@jiri.lev.arch) to document each step of the building process in detail, and he’s offering tours to architects and anyone else who might be interested in learning more.

“I’m not reinventing the wheel. I’m reminding people what the wheel was.”
—Jiri Lev, Architect

“It’s a teaching opportunity,” explains Lev. “It’s about encouraging and empowering people. They can see that I’ve done it—and I’m not the fittest guy in the world—so they know it’s possible. People used to build their own houses all the time. It’s instinctive.”

While the concept behind the affordable, self-build home is radical, its design is anything but. Instead of chasing novelty—something Lev believes is all too prevalent in contemporary architecture—the project harks back to the more traditional principles that define the modest Georgian farmhouses commonly found in parts of rural Australia.

The house—with its simple rectangular floor plan, minimal circulation space, and identically sized windows—is designed for ease of construction. “Every extra detail or junction is another opportunity for the budget to blow out or water to get in,” explains the pragmatic architect.

Lev estimates he spent around 20 hours a week over five months on-site, and he says that most of the work was done singlehandedly, with some help from his teenage son. It’s this “sweat equity” that is behind most of the savings.

In the wet areas, Lev used linoleum and stainless steel instead of tiles—which are expensive and challenging for a novice to install. The kitchen cabinetry and storage is from Ikea, and the fixtures, fittings, and furnishings are all affordable, off-the-shelf options.

Cost-effective detailing and a considered material palette—including the untreated pine off-cuts that line the interior walls and ceilings, and Lev’s “convection doors” that allow for airflow without compromising privacy—elevate the restrained design.

Because the house meets Australia’s annex standard, it can be built on most residential blocks without extra permissions—another nod to replicability and affordability. Most people, however, don’t have the benefit of architectural training, and few of us can pause paid work for months to undertake an extensive construction project.

Lev is the first to admit that even a modest self-build project demands time, energy, and basic physical ability. But he insists the barriers are lower than many imagine: “You’re not building a spaceship,” he says. “Fair enough, I’m an architect, but as far as building goes, I didn’t know much at all. It was all online research and YouTube. Of course, it’s hard work. But with a clear plan and patience, most people can do this.”

It’s a concept that appears to have popular appeal. So far, the plans for the two houses have been downloaded almost 19,000 times, and Lev says he is aware of at least 20 homes being built around the world.

Lev’s approach is less about radical architecture and more about radical ideas, suggesting that it is possible for homeowners to reclaim control and ownership of what is undoubtedly one of the biggest investments they will make in their lifetime. It not only raises questions about the role of architects and the building industry, but also suggests that affordability and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Perhaps most remarkable, however, is the idea that none of this is new. “I’m not reinventing the wheel,” says Lev. “I’m reminding people what the wheel was.”

Related Reading:

This Compact Tasmanian Cabin Is a Testing Ground for Sustainable Design

How a Couple Built a 480-Square-Foot Home for $68K in Cash

Project Credits:

Architect & Builder: Jiri Lev / @jiri.lev.arch

Furniture: Early Settler

Kitchen & Cabinets: Ikea

Appliances: Bosch

HVAC: Daikin