An iconic architect-designed home in Perth has been destroyed by a house fire.

‘Paganin House’ at 165 The Boulevard, Floreat was designed by Bulgarian-born architect Iwan Iwanoff in the 1960s and was considered a classic example of the late designer’s expressionistic style. But Iwanoff’s Boulevard baby is no more, with the house completely destroyed by a fire on 22 December 2015, taking with it, one of the architect’s most-revered examples of his take on brutalist architecture.

Before and after: Iwanoff’s masterpiece has been damaged beyond repair by the 22 December fire. Photography by House Nerd and Stewart Allen/Perth Now

The property is located opposite Wembley Golf Course and before it was destroyed consisted of a single storey residence with four bedrooms and three bathrooms as well as a pool house, sauna and a wine cellar.

It featured heavy touches of marble, timber, laminate and Perspex, and is considered one of the earliest examples of open planned interior design in Perth. It was called a Masterpiece by WA Government architect Geoff Warn who actually worked with Iwanoff on perhaps his most famous project, Marsala House in Dianella.

"It is an excellent balance of European elegance and the infamous open-plan Case Study Houses in and around Los Angeles, which are now collectors items and highly valued," Warn told the ABC.

"The Paganin House is full of optimism and is a celebration of suburban living at its best."

The house was actually waiting assessment for inclusion on the State Heritage Register, after being recommended for listing in 2006, and would have joined Iwanoff’s two other projects on the register, Marsala House and the Northam Council Offices and Library.

Iwanoff migrated to Western Australia from Bulgaria in 1950 and practiced in the state until 1986 when he passed away.

The Northam Public Library (above) and Marsala House (below) by Iwan Iwanoff are listed on the State Heritage Registrar. Photography by WA Heritage Council/ABC and Peter Bennetts.

Images: House Nerd (unless stated)

Nathan Johnson

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