Modern design a ‘sea change’ in Victoria

He was involved in numerous non-profits, doing design and community-based planning, and was named first Humanitarian of the Year by the United Way of Santa Fe, where he used to own a small hotel and designed his last home.

“When I built this house in Victoria in 2006, my Realtor said nobody was interested in a place like this, that everyone wanted craftsman revival.

“But now all kinds of people are inclined to build contemporary rather than older styles. This house marked a sea change in this city.”

He was amused to hear that opinion enthusiastically confirmed one day by a Grade 6 child.

The little girl was delivering flyers with her older sister and stopped to chat with him.

“She told me my place was the first really modern house in Victoria and that it really changed the taste for new house building in Victoria. It was obviously an idea she had drawn from conversation she heard around the dinner table with her parents … but I now have a stamp of approval from a 6th grader,” said Beckerman.

He added that he supports the gallery’s building campaign because he believes early exposure to art is critical, “and we have one of the best provincial art galleries in the country here, much better than the Vancouver Gallery, in my opinion.”

AGGV director Jon Tupper said Beckerman’s enthusiasm is remarkable. “He immerses himself in art and has an incredible passion that is very gratifying for a professional to see.”

He added Beckerman’s $750,000 gift of art provides the gallery with an opportunity to rethink some of its collections, to add Southwest insights and influences into its Northwest coast mix.

“While we do collect locally, regionally, nationally and throughout the Pacific Rim, to some degree it makes some logic to push south and try to link some of the amazing artists from the two regions — for instance, artists like Emily Carr and Frida Kahlo.”

The AGGV plans to add a 12,000-square-foot, three-storey addition to the existing 41,000square-foot gallery, but the $24-million project still awaits word from the province on its $7-million grant application.

The rear garden features a paved section, raised beds and small boulders. Deep-blue walls are highlighted by brilliant red window trim and silver bump-outs.

The upstairs library features a comfortable armchair and window for reading.

• A column of rectangular windows in the master bedroom climbs the four-metre high wall and is counterbalanced by a row of pictures and a suspended shelf with recessed pinpoints of light. Japanese woodblock prints are by Yoshitoshi, from the Hundred...

• The roomy grey-and-white bathroom has large corner windows, but remains private thanks to Hunter Douglas blinds that operate in both directions. Porcelain tiles are on the floor and around the tub.

Clockwise from above: • In the master bedroom is a watercolour by Native American Quincy Tahoma of a man riding a fanciful speckled horse while hunting a buffalo.