Perth + Brutalism + Iwan Iwanoff + Curtin University

Yes, I know. But this really is the last of the Perth brutalism series. Nicely capped off with a tribute to Iwan Iwanoff, all of the photos today were taken at Curtin University - Perth's own little slice of brutalism in the burbs. Just around the corner from the Iwanoff sculpture, is a tribute to the other great heroes that also died in 1986 - Lionel Ritchie, Billy Ocean, and Falco.

Now, there is only one type of building that has more of an impact, and looks better, than a concrete brutalist box - a crumbling, abandoned building. Nothing beats a crumbling building. Nothing. Hands down. So, enjoy the last of Perth brutalist architecture (really!) you will see on this blog for some time (probably).

Coming soon - Perth's abandoned buildings...

Brutalism in Perth - the saga continues.

A psycho-analyst would have a field day explaining what makes people love, and hate, brutalist architecture. Suffice to say, its rough, raw, geometrical, edgy, and, well -  brutal. Perth has more than its fair share of brutalist structures, much to the pleasure of many locals. Brutalist buildings, once you see them in real life, are burnt into your mind. Not many buildings can make that claim. This will be the last part of the Perth Brutalism feature (for now).... until I win lotto, and build a house so brutal that the concrete will bleed. 

In the meantime, enjoy this Wellington Street gem. Once known as Consolidated House.

Perth - Isolated and Brutal

Perth's CBD is midway through a construction boom. City Square BHP Tower, 270 metres, expected to be completed sometime in 2012, will be the tallest office tower in Australia. Under construction on a tiger-snake infested swamp in the very heart of the CBD, the view from the top should be spectacular - a skyscraper or two, and half a million bungalows in every direction. The photo below is the rear of the construction site, at the back of St Georges Tce -  main street.

East Perth train station, East Perth. Perth's best transportation terminal interior. The exterior, is as brutal as they come. From here, you can catch trans-continental train 4352 kilometres, ending in Sydney. Yes, Perth is genuinely the most isolated mainland capital city on Earth. The nearest city is Melbourne, with Sydney being slightly further away. From there, the third closest city is not even on the same continent. 

More Perth brutalism. Perth CBD. I heard that Charles Landry was not a fan of Perth's brutalist structures. Whenever I think of Charles Landry, I always think of The Simpsons "monorail! monorail! MONORAIL!" episode. Note to Landry: you suck! 

South Bronx. No, Perth doesn't have ghettos. Perth CBD, May 2009. 

Brutalism - Perth's best examples of brutalist architecture

Brutalism. Perth's brutalist architecture polarises opinions. Geometric, concrete, 1960's and 1970's stylings. Often out of place, even alien. But what exactly is brutalist architecture? Well, I'm no architect, but it seems to be that any building that would look particularly good with a commie flag on its roof, is most likely an example of brutalism. Here is a selection of Perth's best.

Council House, Perth, 1963. Howlett and Bailey won a national design competition, and here is first place. During the 1990's, the future of this building was in doubt, it was facing demolition. It has appeared on lists of Perth's most hated buildings. People, wake the fuck up.

Commonwealth Bank, Perth, date unknown. Well, this will polarise for sure. A rough concrete tower, in the sea of mediocrity.  Built today, any building on a Terrace facing site would have every surface clad with the latest shade of triple glazed eco-glass. This building says - "fuck you, don't even think about coming in, we will rip your fucking balls off and feed them to you, and you may never actually escape". Perfect for a bank, then.

Perth Concert Hall, 1973, Perth. Again, Howlett and Bailey design the perfect building for a CCCP flag. Speaking of commies, the opening day was attended by Gough Whitlam.

Christian Science Sunday School, Perth. What the hell happens inside this building? Christian, scientists? Apparently they believe that anything evil is an illusion. Somebody forgot to tell their architect. Harry Seidler (a bit of a brutalism fan himself) must have tripped balls when he realised how good QV1 looks with this brutal block in the foreground.

Hale School Memorial Hall, Wembley Downs, 1961. This is the first brutalist styled building in Australia. Concrete, rough, and imposing. Actually, when you put brutalism and all-boy schools together, the jokes pretty much write themselves. I photo-shopped out the empty SAO packet, a stop-watch, and a Chinese flag, lying on the grass in front.

Just a taste of "Perth Brutalism Part 2 - 1970's, Hello!" (located in East Perth). This interior shot is taken from inside one of Perth's most hated buildings. More photos of this, soon...

Iwan Iwanoff - Brutal Mike Brady vs Frank Lloyd Wright

Brutalism. Iwanoff brutalised Northam in the 70's. The Northam Town Council Offices (1974) and Library (1971) complex. Yes, this is in the country town of Northam, and yes - the good people of Northam, after settling in with the library complex, decided three years later to commission perhaps the single most brutal small scale building in Australia.

The Golovin House, 1959, Mount Lawley, clearly shows the Mike Brady side of Iwanoff. The site itself is modernism in a sea of federation (...not that theres anything wrong with that). This neighbourhood has been part of my stomping ground for some time. As a friend told me, who grew up on the same street: "I didn't know it was an Iwanoff, I just knew it as the house I would buy if I won lotto... "

Ramp to your front door? Yes please!

The next Iwanoff house is located in Coolbinia, the garden suburb to the west of Mount Lawley. Tough to get a good shot, as there is a huge For Sale sign up at the moment. I am unsure of the name, or construction year of this project. Your own Iwanoff - for 1.275 million. Ouch.

The highlight of the day was getting an extensive interior tour of the Iwanoff Tomich House (1972), located in City Beach. Iwan Iwanoff himself lived in this house. The current owners are clearly proud to live in such a masterpiece, and are also in awe of the talent of Iwanoff. Now that I have seen the four story spiral staircase, fish-scale-like brass interior finishes, and cathedral-like summer/winter lounge room, "in awe" is just the beginning.

A multi-story staircase surrounded by a glass and clinker brick tube takes you to your own private viewing platform - an eagles nest at the highest point of City Beach. You can see the highest point of the house in the photo below - the windowed box. Almost 360 degree ocean and interior views. Iwanoff really went to town on this one, inside and out. Mind-blowing.

The vault-like front door, replete with stainless steel facia. Although this door provided the gateway to the most amazing house, the same gateway also emenated sadness, as I discussed Iwan Iwanoff's death with the current owner, who was unaware of the fate that became of Iwanoff. As with Cameo, the Communards, and the Timex Social Club, for Iwan Iwanoff, 1986 was a brutal, brutal, year.