Visiting the Open Home at the Becroft’s residence

By Garth Falconer - Reset

Amongst the movers and shakers that influence the rest of us and to a varying degree shape our lives and views, are certain power couples.

One such couple, David and Genevieve Becroft, had a home and garden constructed on the benign shores of Lake Pupuke, Takapuna Auckland. 

The garden nestles in with the Lake discreetly. (Photos supplied by Garth Falconer).

The newly married couple spent time in the USA in the 1950s, returning home determined to break the mold of post war austerity and narrow cultural expressions. Together they spent their lifetime manifesting an artful patronage across architecture, landscape design, sculpture, painting and ceramics.

They began their journey with the design of their house in 1960, a modestly scaled cottage in brick and timber replete with nooks and crannies, centered around a massive hearth, expressive skyward roof finials and splaying decks.

The interplay between house and garden at the Becroft House remains dynamic.

The overall site is not large, though the garden integrated the house and the lakeside site. A brick driveway led to a vine cloaked entry, to the side a kitchen garden framed by tall boundary plantings and a large front deck and lawn combo spilling out to a narrow native forest walk down to a small lakeside finger pier.

At the time this design approach ran counter to the emerging hero modernists with their characteristic light open plan, full glass and steel facades.  

Prolific writer Englishman Peter ‘Pug’ Middleton, a lecturer at Auckland’s School of Architecture was engaged for the design though he was in the process of shifting to Sydney. He in turn engaged 30-year-old Harry Turbott who had recently returned from completing a Master of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University. 

Harry copped some abuse from those of the modernist persuasion at the School for aligning himself with Middleton but the commission sat well with Harry who revered the organic work of Frank Llyod Wright.

After the house’s completion the Becrofts continued to commission Harry to extend the house and garden, later a bach in Mahurangi and the conversion of the Takapuna PumpHouse as a centre for the performing arts.

The Becrofts enjoyed the company of artists and supported many who were largely unknown at the time. They also shared their place openly, regularly hosting charity fund raisers for the Women’s Refuge and other worthy causes such as the Lakehouse Arts Centre.

The house would be eventually recognised with a lifetime award in 1994 from the Institute of Architects for its seminal importance in the history of New Zealand Architecture.

Twenty years on, and the house and garden were opened to the public for four days this year to view a notable collection of artworks up for auction.

It was a last opportunity to experience how wonderful and complete residential life could be through the lens of 50 and 60 years ago. An opportunity to marvel at both the residency’s optimism and its serenity.

In all there were 87 lots of mostly paintings and sculptures dotted around the house and garden with many large works by Pat Hanly, Greer Twiss and Barry Lett to name but a few. The auction was a great success with interest from around the country, with a number of the larger works reaching the six figure range.

The Becrofts were certainly ahead of their time, supporting creativity and community works. Their legacy leaves a challenge to future generations to do as much in their lifetimes.

One of the side gardens with a sculpture by Barry Lett.

Further reading:

Noted Shore patron’s art collection goes on sale – The Rangitoto Observer

David Becroft remembered as advocate for children's health – North Shore Times (2015)