Maxwell House

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic value as an intact example of the late 20th century International style. 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 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. The place has historic value for its association with the 1960s which was characterised as a period of affluence which was teamed with a willingness to experiment with new styles and materials. 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

A distinctive single storey house with gently sloping skillion roofline across the full width of the façade. As with all Iwanoff Houses, Maxwell House presents with a unique and distinctive frontage incorporating decorative concrete panels. In this instance, the panel is perforated concrete creating a projecting screen over the façade of the house. The entrance is located in a recessed position in the centre of the façade consisting of single panel door with large adjacent window. As with many of the Iwanoff designs a unique letterbox was designed by Iwanoff to complement the residence.

History

wan 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. In 1963-86 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 in the new northern suburbs of Perth where there was often minimal surrounding development and often a clientele willing to explore new styles and techniques. Plans for this residence were prepared by Iwanoff’s office in 1967 for a client designated as Maxwell and electoral rolls confirm that civil servant, Ronald John Maxwell and his wife Patricia Ethel Maxwell were living at this address in 1972. Aerial photographs indicate that the form and extent of the original design has changed little since construction. The current owners [2018] supplied the information that the original asbestos roof cladding has been replaced.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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