Monday, March 11, 2013

The Iwanoff Project

or, Why I Love Concrete.

Yesterday I had the privilege of viewing this incredible home


53 Shannon Road Dianella

designed by Bulgarian born Perth architect, Iwan Iwanoff (1919-1986), in 1968. 

If you are unfamiliar with Iwanoff, in simple terms, he is Perth's darling of Modernist architecture. The West's own Harry Seidler or Robin Boyd, so to speak. Internationally he can be compared to Frank Llyod Wright.   

The Iwanoff Project in a nutshell was a Home Open with 'extras'.
Contemporary work (and some vintage pieces too) by Australian artists and designers were displayed (and for sale) throughout the house. Talks and guided tours were also held.


For me though, it was the house that stole the show. 
For someone like me who has long admired Iwanoff homes from afar, (read pervy 'drive-bys') this was not the time to shop!

53 Shannon Road is up for auction on March 16. More details and better pics here. In the meantime, have a look at mine: 


While its exterior may not be as 'out there' as others (examples here and here), just you wait!

tile envy? sculpture envy? anyone?


Stunning Brutalist sculpture by Iwanoff's good friend, George Kosturkov  (you would cry if I told you how much this piece sold for) in entry. To the left of this is an amazing water feature (and we're talking "The Party" here, NOT Bunnings!)

The cabinetry alone will knock your socks off!
Marble, copper, teak - it's got it all!


Marble internal room divider




Timber ceilings? Yes please.

Even the smallest room in the house is drool-worthy

bathroom to the left, loo to the right...

Yep, that's me perched on the loo - worth it to get a pic of that sink! I mean SERIOUSLY!

It's the little things that count,

(the toilet roll holder of your dreams Brismod?)

hook behind loo door.
wouldn't you agree?


Alfresco entertainment area. An innovative idea at the time.

Spot the 'conversation pit'

Bet you'd like to park your car here,

drive down this driveway, (ignore the scaffolding next door)

and

collect your mail from this mail box...I know I would!

p.s. for even more of # 53, check out Patsy's post here.

x












































  







32 comments:

  1. oh my lord my head is exploding with this magnificence!! Whoa! How about that intricate woodwork?? the sculpture? The pool? The form! The function! The outfits one could wear there! Oh dear I want to close my eyes and ignore my house now.

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  2. LOL! It is the toilet holder of my dreams...as is this home. Wow! Love it. xx

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  3. I love your passion for this style Kylie! Will you be going to the auction?

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  4. O, my FARKING gawd, I am going to accost G as soon as he has finished bashing his drum kit to show him this INCREDIBLE home!!!!
    I have never heard of Iwanoff before?! I must have been living under a rock. I love this house, it's bloody amazing. How wonderful you got a pervy walk in!!! I want to touch everything......it's glorious....XXXXX

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  5. Holy Dooley, now that is really amazing!x

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  6. That's pretty impressive! I LOVE the ceilings and the outside hang out area. One day people are going to be coming round yours with cameras though, I just know it!
    x

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  7. So well showcased by you Kylie, a far richer parade than my pics. Love the one of you on the loo! x

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  8. Pretty amazing, thanks for being such a good tutor on modern domestic architecture for me. You teach me so much.

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  9. I like how the toilet rolls are stacked to follow the curve of the basin...that just tickles my funny bone. and the dog house is brilliant! (saw it on Patsy's post, following your link).

    It's an incredible house Kylie -not something I'd be comfortable living in (not enough clutter and kitsch for my very downmarket tastes) but blimey yes it's an architectural wonder.

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  10. What an unusual house! Not my style, but I can appreciate the attention to detail and stylistic features which have been incorporated into the place.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  11. oh kylie...did you pack an overnight bag??...at least tell me that they had to kick you out!...that pool area!!. Its all just so fab!....postie came today....your a honey!
    Al x

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  12. It is magnificent, but I agree with Wendz, not "downmarket" enough for my taste. I like the sink but not the loo roll holder, the wooden ceilings but not the marble, the sofa (very much) and the wooden light fitting which looks like some sort of intricate clothes airer to me (?). xx

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  13. I like everything, wow, wow and wow!

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  14. Wow, the tree out front! Everything about the space is incredible indeed. Thanks for sharing with us :)

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  15. Sculpture envy - yes! I'd never want to leave the house if I lived there. Imagine the parties, and imagine how stylishly you could dress just to eat toast by the pool.
    I bet you did some daydreaming during your visit. It is so clear how much this design influences you.

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  16. BEEE U TIFUL!!! Shouldn't be too hard to pack everything up to move to Australia right? Can't pick a favorite photo 'cause I loved them all. Thanks for posting as I had never heard of Iwanoff before

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  17. Oh goodness me, Kylie, what an absolute gem!!! The house is amazing and I'm totally in love with that Kosturkov sculpture, that's an artist I have to check out!

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  18. Oh my its amazing!!!! I have just got Warren over to have a peek too! Amazing!!!!!
    Completely of its time.
    love V

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  19. What a fantastic house!! I indeed had sculpture envy, and tile envy, even handwash basin envy!! The pool area, in particular the conversation pit, is AMAZING!! How cool would it be to hang out there with a cocktail?! : ) x

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  20. Wow i see these homes on the TV but have never really given them much thought before. But Wow its very modern and very funky and retro all at the same time. I love the curves of that red sofa and the little den by the pool. The shapes and curves and the crisp lines its truely beautiful and i can just imagaine how excited you were while walking around :-) dee x

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  21. Oh my gosh it's AWESOME!!! ALL of it!

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  22. It's a stunning house. That room divider is just amazing.
    But.. err.. where's all the clutter?! xxx

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  23. I will join you for cocktails any day! AMAZZZZZZING!
    What did the sculpture go for?

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  24. Hey Kylie, the wonderful Floreat house has just come on the market and is open for the first time on Saturday, auction in late April!

    http://www.airey.com.au/index.cfm?pagecall=property&propertyid=2306878

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  25. Really good house tour Kylie. I like your pictures a lot. There is so much that is incredibly creative about this house. The thing that turns me on the most is the use of the Brutalist elements throughout... the entrance, the sculpture, the concrete block wall. I have honestly never seen anything like that before. The pink and white tile behind the toilet paper roll of people's dreams is neat as well. Almost looks art deco? But it can't be? Right?

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  26. Amazing, thanks so much for sharing!

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  27. Did you see the floreat house ? Every man and his dog were there when I went, could not even take any pics! Still fab tho.

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  28. so... that was right up your street, wasn't it?
    but yeah! gosh... and gulp.
    n♥

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  29. Wow! That's so impressive. I do LOVE to look at other people's homes. It is so different to anything I know, which makes it fascinating to me. xx

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  30. Can words really describe this gem! Wonderful design!!!

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  31. You know how sometimes when I love something so much I feel physically sick? Well, I've suddenly felt deathly. I'm groaning here at the spectacularishness of that house. How can people be so talented?! Call an ambulance someone!!

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