In June of 2024 It was suggested that I compose a piece for piano to coincide with the book "The Architecture of Iwan Iwanoff written by Warren Andersen. I found the images in this book inspired me to write this evocative piece describing Iwanoff's "modernist style of architecture".
PRESS RELEASE
THE ARCHITECTURE OF IWAN IWANOFF book is a comprehensive review of houses,
commercial buildings, apartments, and shop fitouts from 1950 to1986.
Iwanoff unified international modernism, Besser block relief, and innovation with
material use and construction to create a unique aesthetic putting Perth, Western
Australia onto the global architecture map. Including historical photography, drawings,
furniture, lost structures, and unbuilt projects, this book provides a new perspective and
authoritative resource.
Underpinned by five years of research in university archives in Australia, Germany, and
Bulgaria, it examines Iwanoff’s legacy through recollections of his sons, Michael and
Nicolai Iwanoff, professional architects, artists, contractors, and house owners.
‘One of the most exciting things was documenting all of the houses, some of which have
never been open to the public. So you can look at bespoke woodwork, furniture and
cabinets which are part of the whole package, not just the exteriors - author.’
This book takes the reader on a fresh journey through three decades of Iwanoff’s design
innovation and influences from California moderne, geometric besser block, to Italian
sculptural abstraction with a feast of biographical details and archive imagery.
Author Background:
Warren Andersen is a business management and urban planning consultant with over
40 years in private and public sector. A life member of the Local Government Planner’s
Association, he has been an international committee member of the American Planning
Association. In 2021 he secured recognition by the City of Fremantle council of Martin
Clark’s 1968 recording studio building designed by architect, Iwan Iwanoff.
Filming Phil Strachan
Audio recording, Mixing & Mastering - Mark Whitehouse
Video Editing - Mark Whitehouse