A rare chance to own a home designed by one of Perth’s most celebrated architects Iwan Iwanoff is on offer, with the sale of a sprawling family residence in the picturesque bushland setting of Darlington.
Built in 1974 and named Cavallaro House after the family Iwanoff built it for, the Perth Hills property at 2 Constance Street, Darlington showcases the late architect’s signature traits – his use of stone, timber, glass and concrete.
The 1974-built Cavallaro House designed by Iwan Iwanoff is built around a irregular-shaped pool. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Bulgarian born Iwanoff, who died in 1986, was famous for his distinct brutalist style which included a creative use of concrete blockwork, timber, and other characteristics, such as futuristic-style letterboxes.
Iwanoff properties have something of a cult following in Perth, and within just hours of Cavallaro House hitting the market, selling agent Michael Hagdorn from Earnshaws Real Estate said ten people registered their interest.
The property generated a huge amount of interest within hours of being listed. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
“People feel that it's not your typical home — it's just a different sort of feeling to it,” he said.
“I guess a lot of its sort of original [Iwanoff] features that are still there, that we can actually still see on the original plans.
“A lot of it's in the lounge room and the dining room … there's a lot of glass, there's a lot of timber, and it's mixed a lot all the way through.”
The home features a sunken lounge room with timber-clad ceiling. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The vendors — the fourth to have owned the home in its lifetime — are selling their beloved residence of 26 years after relocating to Queensland.
Set on a sprawling 2405sqm corner block, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home features high timber ceilings, a wood fire in the sunken lounge room, a striking wrought iron staircase which leads to the second level master suite complete with a dressing room, private deck and views of the swimming pool.
Other features include a wine cellar, a study and a large front deck.
The home has a price guide of mid-$1 million.
A glimpse of Iwanoff’s other Perth masterpieces
Several Iwanoff architectural gems from the late 1950s, ’60s and ’70s can be found in Karrinyup, Mt Lawley, Floreat, Dianella and City Beach.
Born in 1919, Iwanoff studied architecture in Munich before arriving in Perth in 1950.
He began his own practise in 1961, winning many design awards for residential homes he designed.
More than 35 years since his death, Iwanoff’s houses are much celebrated and have featured in many publications and attract a loyal following.
Iwanoff House
The Floreat family home of Iwanoff at 16 Lifford Road was also used as his architectural studio.
The residence was a showcase of Iwanoff’s foray into Besser blocks, which became prolific in his brutalist style.
Iwanoff House was the celebrated architect's family home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home — set on a 903sqm opposite Roscommon Reserve — featured a distinct rectangular form, and an upper-level overhang with a Corbusian podium with uninterrupted strip windows and external horizontal blockwork vents.
The property has immaculately-preserved mid century interiors. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It sold in 2022 for $2.75 million.
Featherby House
This circa 1971 built property at 41 Summerhayes Drive, Karrinyup was designed for Bob Featherby, a cabinet maker who worked with Iwanoff in his construction team on many projects.
Featherby House features Iwanoff's distinct besser block construction and brutalist style. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The vendors completed an extensive renovation which included overhauling the kitchen, the bathrooms and reinstating the back facade.
Like most Iwanoff-designed properties, scores of people attended open homes just to get a peek inside. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It sold for $2,750,000 in March, drawing huge crowds at its home opens with 250 people attending one open in 30 minutes.
Tomich House
Considered to be the largest Iwan Iwanoff home in existence, this five-level brutalist home featuring sweeping coastal views and a meticulous commercial grade restoration hit the market earlier this year.
The landmark Tomich House is one of Iwanoff's best-known creations. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Set on 1184sqm, 7 Dorking Road, City Beach is one of the suburb’s largest landholdings, and featured five bedrooms and five bathrooms, and a rooftop deck.
In addition to the pool, the property also features a tennis court, sauna and spa. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It was once the home of renowned Australian fashion designer, Liz Davenport.
Jiwkoff House
Likened to a time capsule of 1970s interiors, 35 St Kilda Road, Rivervale showcased all of Iwanoff’s signature traits such as wood-panelled walls, a flat roof, custom cabinetry and stonework
Jiwkoff House was considered Iwanoff's most affordable creation. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The mid-century modern home remained untouched by its sole owner before it sold for $807,000 in 2021.
Marsala House
With a light-up dance floor, two bars and a 1970s vibe, this 1976 built abode in Dianella is said to be the youngest West Australian home on the State Register of Heritage Places.
Marsala house is one of Iwanoff's most striking properties. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Set on an elevated 1483sqm block, the sprawling five-bedroom, three-bathroom residence features 521sqm of living space.
The groovy property includes a light-up dance floor, a throwback to the disco era. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It sold for $2.8 million in 2021.
Toschkoff House
Sold for the first time in more than 60 years in 2020, the property at 32 Donegal Road, Floreat was designed by the renowned architect for close friends Rita Toschkoff, 92, and her late husband, Dimiter.
Toschkoff house was held by its original owner for 60 years until it was sold in 2020. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Toschkoff House was Iwanoff’s second project in Perth, and the heritage-listed home featured three bedrooms and one bathroom mostly in its original condition.
The heritage-listed home was designed for a close friend and incorporates many hallmarks of mid-century design. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
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