About Architects Assist

"We seek to promote equity of access to architecture. Like healthcare and legal representation, sustainable, resilient, healthy and beautiful living environment is not a luxury but a pragmatic necessity and a human right."

Jiri Lev, Founder

As the 2019 bushfires claimed their first homes, architecture and design practices began responding with offers of assistance to those who lost everything and did not have sufficient means to start rebuilding their lives and livelihoods. However, with the growing scale of the disaster, it soon became obvious that the resources of individual practices would not be sufficient to assist all those requiring help.

Recovered bushland

Architects Assist was established by Jiri Lev on 4 January 2020 as an Australian Institute of Architects initiative. In late February 2020, Architects Assist began to integrate professionals from related fields in the built environment industry.

By July that year, Architects Assist represented a coordinated effort of over 600 practices from across Australia, dedicating their resources to providing pro bono or reduced fees services and 1500 architecture students and graduates awaiting an opportunity to assist recovery efforts.

"The role of the architect in assisting people affected by natural disaster is not limited solely to design and architecture. We help clients come to terms with their situation and work through their options, while listening to their stories and grieving. By providing positive inspirational ideas, support and assistance we help clients to move forward."

David Brown, Architect

We aim to enable those affected by the present and future disasters to rebuild their lives, either by themselves or with help from the community, at once or in stages. Local communities and businesses may also apply for assistance.

We encourage built outcomes that are:

  • architecturally considered
  • owner-builder friendly
  • resilient in natural disasters
  • built with sustainable materials
  • compact and spatially efficient
  • affordable and beautiful.

Architects Assist acts as a referral service and does not itself provide architectural services. Architects Assist does not receive nor accept any sponsorship, gifts or funding.

"Thanks for your assistance in the reconstruction of our home. We are going to contract the architect to assist us with the design and build of this project, following your introduction. We are both excited and looking forward to working together."

Paul, Client

In partnership with Taubmans

 

Taubmans is a proud PPG Architectural coatings brand in Australia. Your local Taubmans team supports the industry with a high-quality range of colour and paint for residential and commercial projects. Taubmans is proud to be one of the Australian Institute of Architects’ major partners supporting the Architects Assist initiative.

Being in it together with the community is a key part of what we do at Taubmans which is why we are proud to support Architects Assist.

Rebuilding lives through exceptional design

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© Architects Assist 2022

An initiative of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Architects Assist acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia. We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive. We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.