Jiwkoff Residence

Statement of Significance

• The place has aesthetic value as an intact example of the late 20th century international style.
• The place has historic value for its association with prominent architect, Iwan Iwanoff who was influential in Western Australian practice for his non traditional approach to design and materials drawn from European trends.
• This residence and other examples of Iwanoff's work are a comprehensive and notable group of buildings which demonstrate a specific design style and period.
• The place has the potential to reveal methods of construction and detail that are unique to Iwanoff’s design.
• The place has social value as the house and others of Iwanoff's design are the source of study and interest amongst members of the community.

Physical Description

Single storey residence displaying typical elements of the distinctive Iwanoff style. Though smaller than many of his houses, the place still presents in a linear form to the road incorporating a highly activated façade including full height windows, a feature stone wall and deep fascia across the entire façade supported on slender columns. The shallow pitched roof is hidden behind the fascia to create the appearance of a flat roofed property from street level.

A carport has been included into the design of the house and is incorporated under the main roof and positioned in front of living accommodation rather than placed to one side.
The façade to the house appears to be unaltered.

Internally the house contains original finishes included timber panelling and the stone fireplace. The kitchen has not been modernised. The main living space has a parquetry floor.

History

Iwan Nickolow Iwanoff (1919-1986) was born in Kusstendil, Bulgaria. After studying architecture in Munich at the Technische Hochschule from 1941, Iwanoff worked for Emil Freymuth with the pair winning second prize in the competition to rebuild the central area of Munich.

Migrating to Australia as part of the International Refugee Organization resettlement scheme, Iwanoff and his wife arrived at Fremantle, on 2 March 1950. He worked with architecture firm Kranz and Sheldon and also Yuncken and Freeman in Melbourne. In 1963, he established his own practice, The Studio of Iwanoff.

A gifted architect, Iwanoff had exceptional drawing abilities, an innovative `expressionistic’ approach to design and detailing and, above all, a conviction that architecture was an art.
Between 1963 and 1986 his small office produced work of high quality, including numerous houses. He also designed shop fronts and interiors in central Perth, and one larger project, the civic administration centre and public library at Northam (1969-74). His creative use of concrete blocks is a noted feature of his work.
Many of the Iwanoff residences designed in the 1960s and 1970s were for a clientele willing to explore new styles and techniques.

Plans for this residence were prepared by Iwanoff’s office in 1962 for migrants Peter and Franziska Jiwkoff, spelt as Jivkoff on the plans. Iwanoff often designed homes for his fellow European migrants.

The Jiwkoffs arrived in Australia in 1950 as Displaced Persons from Munich Germany, Peter of Hungarian citizenship, and Franziska Bulgarian. By 1956, they were living in Haynes Street North Perth, Peter working as a labourer and Franziska as a typist. In later years the Australian Electoral Rolls record Peter’s occupation as a business proprietor, and Franziska a Secretary.

Iwanoff designed other properties for Peter Jiwkoff during this period, including a workshop for a property at 26 St Kilda Road across the road from their Jiwkoff home which is longer extant.

Iwanoff designed the extensions and alterations, together with furniture and fittings for a commercial property at 62 Goodwood Parade Burswood for Peter Jiwkoff. This building is still extant and demonstrates concrete blockwork often used by Iwanoff. Jiwkoff, together with partner, McShane again engaged Iwanoff to design holiday and retirement units in Quindalup.

Peter Jiwkoff died in 2009 and Franziska continued to live on in the house at 35 St Kilda Road.

Aerial and internal photographs indicate that the place has undergone no significant changes since its construction.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.