
When I wrote the original Cullen House article I never imagined it would gain the popularity it did. As promised, I have been in contact with Jeff Kovel from Skylab Architecture and have prepared the following interview/bio along with a few more images for all the mad fans!
“I am in architecture, development, and rock and roll.”
- Jeff Kovel

Jeff Kovel grew up just outside of New York City and lived there until he attended Cornell University’s Architecture school. Since then he has made his way to the West Coast and in 1996 he finally settled down in Portland, Oregon. However, it was while growing up in New York that Jeff realised he wished to become an architect. His family had begun work on a new home and a young Jeff thus developed a new fascination for both building and design.
It was three years after arriving in Portland when 26 year old Jeff founded his own architecture firm, Skylab architecture. He admits that he started his practice at a very young age and wishes that he’d worked under other architects beforehand. Nevertheless, Skylab Architecture has grown into a fully fledged successful firm. When asked what the most rewarding aspect of practicing architecture is, Kovel explains “We [architects] have carved out a niche that allows us to explore and innovate. The most rewarding part of this career is the work which we are able to create with this open format.”
Kovel likens his own design philosophies to storytelling. “We bring concepts to life, each of these concepts is a story,” he says. “The paragraphs are like spaces, the words, materials. Each project is a unique deep investigation into this story telling…

Our process is research based, and iterative. We look for authentic meaning and relationships. We do not rush aesthetic conclusions.”
Kovel explains that his inspiration comes from many different architectural sources. “I love many progressive architects from all eras of modernism, I appreciate the periods prior as well. There isn’t a subject I would rather talk about.”
As I’m sure many of you can relate, Jeff Kovel and Skylab architecture became known to me through the film Twilight; what many of us have come to know as the Cullen residence is actually the ‘Hoke Residence’, so I asked Jeff about how the house came to be.

“The Hoke residence was originally built as a ‘spec’ house [This simply means it was built, with the speculation of finding a suitable buyer], or a project built without a client as a development for sale.
After two days on the market, the house was purchased by the director of footwear design at Nike, John Hoke. Following a cover story in a northwest architecture publication, The Hoke’s were approached by a film location scout, a little film called Twilight.”

“We designed the house in 2006, completed construction in 2007. We have designed an additional residence next door that will begin construction once we locate another vampire”
“This December, we took our staff to see the movie to start our holiday party. We all loved it. We have been receiving fan mail from all over the world, including many inquiries for the house plans – contacts from Croatia, The Philippines, Buenos Aires, and Melbourne Australia among others.”

There is more to Skylab architecture beyond the Hoke House – amoungst Skylab’s impressive folio is also the following..

Montgomery residence

Nau Webfront

‘North’

12 + Alder
More images on these projects and more can be found at Skylab Architecture’s website.


[...] Check out this SWEEEEEEET interview with Jeff Kovel who is the architect of the Cullen house! He gives a great interview and an awesome biography! Check it out HERE!!!!! [...]
Pingback by » Blog Archive » Cullen’s House - The Architect on February 10, 2009 at 4:14 am
This house is sooooo awesum!
If I become a rich girl ( a very rich girl) I want to have it!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Jane on February 10, 2009 at 4:54 am
[...] decidiu publicar mais fotografias a assim como uma entrevista com o arquitecto; Jeff Kovel. Clica aqui pra veres as imagens e leres a [...]
Pingback by Twilight Addiction // a tua fonte sobre a saga Twilight em Portugal! » Blog Archive » Casa dos Cullen on February 10, 2009 at 5:18 am
I love that house!!! Words can’t say how well of a job was done designing it. It’s beautiful!!!!!!! I’d love to live there…. with the “Cullens” of course. Lol
Comment by Kristen on February 10, 2009 at 7:34 am
Extremely enchanting. I hope that someday, I can have a house similar to Hoke’s.
I could probably live in a dream for the moment.. looking at this everyday =)
Comment by Teresa on February 10, 2009 at 7:49 am
Beautiful architecture. Wonderful use of glass and space. I especially like the kitchen and the layout of the island. The large windows are especially attractive in an area such as yours. The wood on the ceiling is a beautiful touch. It brings a ring of earthiness to the modernism. I don’t know much about architecture, but my brother is an architect of large buildings and I sent the link on to him. He would love this house. He loves doing things with glass.
About the Twilight angle, it wasn’t at all what I envisioned, but it is a beautiful house anyway and fits the movie well.
Good luck with your architectural firm. I expect to see other amazing projects from you.
Comment by Jennifer on February 10, 2009 at 8:39 am
[...] The Design Tavern has some awesome pics of the Hoke House, aka, the Cullen House as seen in Twilight. Check them out here. [...]
Pingback by Twilight Extremists - A Twilight Saga Fansite » Afternoon News on February 10, 2009 at 8:58 am
As a second year architecture student and an avid twilight fan, I have to thank you immensely for this and the previous article. My fellow archie friends and I fell in love with the house when we saw the movie. I’ll be sure to forward this to them as it fits perfectly in our little niche. It’s an interesting article and the pictures are gorgeous. Thanks again!
Comment by Michelle on February 10, 2009 at 9:49 am
[...] To read the complete article, click here. [...]
Pingback by » Blog Archive » DESIGN TAVERN: NEW INTERVIEW WITH ARCHITECT OF THE ‘CULLEN HOUSE’ on February 10, 2009 at 11:57 am
[...] the rest HERE. **Much thanks to Henry from Designtavern.com for sending in the link!** Category: Twilight News [...]
Pingback by » Blog Archive » Interview w/ Cullen house creator on February 10, 2009 at 11:57 am
OMG THAT HOUSE IS BEUTIFULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT TO LIVE THERE WITH EDWARD HE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOT!!! AND ALL MYN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I ♥ EDWARD CULLEN AND I ♥ TWILIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Kara♥ on February 10, 2009 at 11:57 am
[...] Tavern have an interview with Jeff Kovel, the architect of the Hoke House, aka the Cullen House here.original article [...]
Pingback by TwilightCircle.com | A Social Network based on the Twilight saga » Blog Archive » Interview With the Architect of the Cullen House on February 10, 2009 at 12:07 pm
[...] Design Tavern have an interview with Jeff Kovel, the architect of the Hoke House, aka the Cullen House here. [...]
Pingback by Interview With the Architect of the Cullen House on February 10, 2009 at 12:28 pm
i love the house i would love to live there i love the design i like how it has that kind of retro look to it i love houses like that even though i am a huge country girl i just love outside view and the stairs like the city folk say OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by BChick-2195 on February 10, 2009 at 1:00 pm
… i like this house, a lot, but i really didnt feel like it has the Cullens’ personality. Its too new. The Cullens’ are soposed to be really old fashioned. I’m sorry but in the book they described Edward’s bedroom to have thick gold carpet and dark walls. It was totally wrong.
Still adore the movie though<3
Comment by Rachel on February 10, 2009 at 1:04 pm
beautiful house!! i love the modern touch to it…but if new moon is shot in vancouver….how will they do the beginning with bella’s birthday at the cullen’s house??
Comment by bree on February 10, 2009 at 2:16 pm
i saw this article on hisgoldeneyes.com
this house is just WOW (:
i like so wanna like in it-with the “cullens” haha
i really really like it :)
Comment by Jess from New Zealand on February 10, 2009 at 3:40 pm
i need to live here! LUCKY Hokes!! :/ NOT FAIR!
I want to live here of course, cause they filmed Twilight here,
It is BEAUTIFUL!
and Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, ASHLEY GREENE (my idol), JACKSON RATHBONE (i love him [i love them all just Jackson the most]), Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, and Elizabeth Reaser all were in it!! I would lie where they walked like all day :p haha
I WANT TO LIVE HERE SO BADLY!
Comment by Helena(the most obsessed person of twilight ever=me) on February 10, 2009 at 4:39 pm
This is an awsome house guys!
I truly wanna live here :D <3
can i move in with the cullens? :D :D xD
Comment by JuliaCullen on February 10, 2009 at 5:17 pm
[...] Tavern ima intervju z Jeffom Kovelom, arhitektom, ki je izdelal načrt za filmsko hišo družine [...]
Pingback by Twilight Slovenia » Somračne novice on February 11, 2009 at 12:01 am
[...] Design Tavern tem um artigo falando de Jeff Kovel, o arquiteto da casa dos Cullen que foi usado no filme Twilight. Leia em inglês aqui. [...]
Pingback by Twilight Brasil » Notícias » Artigo do Jeff Kovel on February 11, 2009 at 2:39 am
I LOVE this house, and if I EVER become rich i’m gonna have Jeff build my house and make it look just like the Cullen’s!
Comment by Chels on February 11, 2009 at 2:54 am
I love the house!!!! It is amazing. Also ALICE CULLEN Rox!!!!!
Comment by Nikki Cullen on February 11, 2009 at 4:09 am
OMG, I want that house!
It is AWSOME! PLus vampires lived in it so…
Comment by Genevieve Cullen Lutz on February 11, 2009 at 4:18 am
OME i love this house its so cool and its awsome for the cullens!!!
I wish I can have a house like this one day.
Comment by anna on February 11, 2009 at 7:31 am
[...] Source: designtavern.com [...]
Pingback by :: Cold Twilight :: » Blog Archive » Interview with Jeff Kovel - The architect of the Cullen House (Hoke House) from twilight on February 11, 2009 at 9:54 am
[...] FULL ARTICLE HERE [...]
Pingback by Design Tavern’s Interview with Architech of Cullen House « Touched By Twilight on February 11, 2009 at 9:59 am
[...] Fit for a vampire.. The Hoke House (the Cullen House from Twilight) – Skylab Architecture Dec 14th, 2008 by hmckenzie. If you’re new here, then please subscribe to my RSS feed, or simply Fill out the form above for the latest news and special offers via our newsletter! Cheers!Edit!: Also see my interview with Architect — Jeff Kovel Here [...]
Pingback by The Hoke House (the Cullen House from Twilight) - Skylab Architecture | Design Tavern on February 11, 2009 at 10:58 am
[...] architect of the Cullen house (no word yet if it will be used in New Moon) talks about its [...]
Pingback by Movie News | Twilight Lexicon on February 11, 2009 at 4:01 pm
[...] Designtavern trovate l’intervista fatta all’architetto della Hoke House, ovvero della casa usata in [...]
Pingback by Interviste, altre foto d Casa Cullen e altro… « Edward and Bella’s Meadow on February 12, 2009 at 1:26 am
[...] architect of the Cullen house (no word yet if it will be used in new moon ) talks about its [...]
Pingback by Movie News | Twilight Info & News on February 12, 2009 at 2:00 pm
[...] Jeff Kovel Share and [...]
Pingback by Top advice from Artists and Designers | Design Tavern on February 12, 2009 at 11:50 pm
[...] Read it here [...]
Pingback by Long-Awaited Updates « The Twilight Tabloid on February 13, 2009 at 3:07 am
The house is pretty however it looks NOTHING like the house in Twilight.
The house in Twilight was white – old – almost with a Victorian feel – this house is so modern contemporary, it is NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING like the house in the book. Were you asked to create a house for the Cullens (if so, did you even read the book???) or was this a house that was already built, that someone made a poor decision to use?
Comment by Rich on February 17, 2009 at 12:43 pm
i’m interested to see this house on google earth. Please if you can, give me a rough address. Is not necesary to give the exactly address. I’m waiting your answer. Thanks
Comment by marco on March 1, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I think the Cullen House is really awesome! A perfect house for a Perfect Family.
I will like to have the house plans, because maybe, maybe if I am rich when I grow up, I will like my house to be like this one!
Comment by alexa on March 16, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Beatiful home, I’ll be so happy to live there. What I like most are the windows ajja. It’s not the house to steph’s related, but it is equally amazing. The perfect, serene, loving, and away house. Perfect for them, as for any of us!
Comment by Fá on March 16, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I was a little upset about the change from the victorian house to the more contemporary house, but it does look like a place where the Cullens might live. I wouldn’t turn it down if somebody offered it to me. It is one of the more beautiful contemporary houses that I have seen in my lifetime.
Comment by Charles Allen on March 27, 2009 at 12:30 pm
the location for the cullen house was scouted and decided upon before it was published in a magazine.
the scout was familiar with various architects work in the area and tracked the house down through the architects website where there was one photograph that was particularly evocative of something the cullens might live it.
Comment by b on March 28, 2009 at 7:19 pm
The house appeared in January 08 ‘Portland spaces’ presumably with no knowledge of the twilight movie.
Comment by hmckenzie on March 29, 2009 at 12:01 am
[...] house was designed by architect Jeff Kovel from Skylab Architecture – check out the interview HERE. More photos of the Cullen house in the gallery below: .gallery { margin: auto; } .gallery-item { [...]
Pingback by Hoke House - House of The Cullens on the New Moon Set (photos): Twilight Series on April 8, 2009 at 3:40 am
Those houses look AMAZING!
Comment by Jane (REAL NAME) on April 19, 2009 at 2:00 am
Сколько стоит этот дом?
Comment by Гузель on May 4, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Hi..Can u show me an overview of the Hoke House??please???
Tnx…
Comment by michael poblacion on May 18, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Hi…Do u have any floorplans or an overview of the Hoke house??
Hihihihi…i love the House..it RocKS!
Please?
Comment by michael poblacion on May 18, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Hi! The house is fantastic.. :) The best residence ever I see… Can I ask where can I find this? For example on google maps? Where should I look for? :D
Comment by Rolowics on June 9, 2009 at 3:43 am
[...] A few months ago everybody was crazy about a movie called Twilight. Twilight is a love story movie between a human and a vampire. They’re modern vampires and live in a modern house. Usually I don’t speak about architecture in the movies here on Freshome, but when I saw the movie I really liked that house, and that’s why I’ve decided to post it today. The Hoke House was designed by architect Jeff Kovel via ‘Skylab Architecture’ it’s 4300 squares, built by Metcalf Construction, with Lucy Metcalf as the interior designer and landscaper. The house was designed for Nike executive John Hoke and his family and appeared in the film Twilight. Hoke really liked the idea of his house being used as the home to a family of sophisticated vampires and allowed filming to proceed in both the interiors and exteriors. Because of his profession, members of the production team dubbed the structure the “Nike House.” The Cullen house is supposedly located just outside of Forks, WA- Via – DesignTavern [...]
Pingback by The Cullen House from Twilight – The Hoke House on June 24, 2009 at 10:33 pm
[...] A few months ago everybody was crazy about a movie called . Twilight is a love story movie between a human and a vampire. They’re modern vampires and live in a modern house. Usually I don’t speak about architecture in the movies here on Freshome, but when I saw the movie I really liked that house, and that’s why I’ve decided to post it today. The Hoke House was designed by architect Jeff Kovel via ‘Skylab Architecture’ it’s 4300 squares, built by Metcalf Construction, with Lucy Metcalf as the interior designer and landscaper. The house was designed for Nike executive John Hoke and his family and appeared in the film Twilight. Hoke really liked the idea of his house being used as the home to a family of sophisticated vampires and allowed filming to proceed in both the interiors and exteriors. Because of his profession, members of the production team dubbed the structure the “Nike House.” The Cullen house is supposedly located just outside of Forks, WA- Via – DesignTavern [...]
Pingback by LooksLux » Twilight on June 25, 2009 at 9:29 am
[...] Το σπίτι ετούτο λοιπόν βρίσκεται στην πολιτεία της Ουάσινγκτον, και είναι γύρω στα 400 τετραγωνικά. Το χτίσανε αυτοί ως spec house, δηλαδή για να ‘χουνε να το δείχνουνε και να λένε “κοίτα τι φτιάξαμε”, κι αν βρεθεί κανείς να το πουλήσουν κιόλας. Και βρέθηκε γρήγορα, ένας designer της Nike ήταν που το τσίμπησε, και μετά το είδανε και οι παραγωγοί και το πήρανε στην ταινία. Διάβασε μια συνεντευξούλα του αρχιτέκτονα που βρέθηκε στη δίνη της ποπ κουλτούρας εδώ. [...]
Pingback by Το σπιτόσκυλο | To Σπίτι Των Βρικολάκων Του Twilight on June 25, 2009 at 1:23 pm
i am your #1FAN!!!!!! i almostreaded all the books. if the cullen were real i would jump out of a big tree and wait for dr.carlisle cullen to come and bite me. it would be cool.then i would go live with them forever. TWILIGHT ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by marissa thomas on July 1, 2009 at 8:27 am
i know where the house is.
i live less then a mile away
Comment by Jessica on July 2, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Jessica, I am in Portland for the holiday and attempted to find the house today with no luck. Any assitance you can provide would be appreciated. I would like to just drive by so my daughter, grand daughter and I can say we found it! Please respond ASAP, as we will only be here for a short time. THANKS!!!
Comment by Teri on July 4, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Hey! Where is the house then. To “Jessica” who knows where it is!
Thanx.. :D
Comment by Jennifer on July 7, 2009 at 12:16 am
Jessica, PLEASE tell me the address!
Comment by Milana on July 10, 2009 at 3:48 am
[...] house. According to an interview that architect Jeff Kovel of Skylab Architecture gave to Design Tavern, it was built as a spec house and bought by the director of footwear design at Nike, John Hoke: [...]
Pingback by “Twilight” Revisited: The Contemporary House Used for the Cullen Family on July 14, 2009 at 6:13 am
I know who the architect of my house is gonna be.
Comment by Sanjeev on July 21, 2009 at 4:58 am
[...] (que todos nós conhecemos como a casa dos vampiros de Twilight). Você pode conferir em inglês aqui e em breve [...]
Pingback by Entrevista com o arquiteto da Casa dos Cullen | Twilighters - Saiba tudo sobre Crepúsculo (Twilight), Lua Nova (New Moon), Eclipse e Amanhecer (Breaking Dawn)! on July 25, 2009 at 1:20 pm
this is my house!! omg!
Comment by sylvianne on July 29, 2009 at 5:03 am
Beautiful House!
This style is very popular these days and the UK (certainly in the south where I live) is being slowly covered in cedar cladding- not very successfully though. This scheme shows how is should be done- this is a real piece of architecture- not just paper-thin cladding!
Comment by Graham Madigan on September 13, 2009 at 9:21 am
heyy.
on this website could you please put up the Twilight cullens house plan ha will be very good cause me and my friend like putting house plans together and makin new ones.
byee.
adityy.
please….. :D
Comment by adityy. on September 21, 2009 at 4:02 pm
#1 reasn 2 see Twilight: http://bit.ly/1S8vVA
Trackback by Meghan Jeppesen on October 15, 2009 at 4:07 pm
what is the black material on this building? x
Comment by Emma on October 18, 2009 at 4:45 am
I'd like this house: http://is.gd/4JJRU (some people will recognise it from photos, the title gives it away)
Trackback by ijoostin on November 1, 2009 at 3:43 am
I really want to use the wallpaper that is in the kitchen entryway. It is in lavender shades and features a twiggy / birds in trees look. Does anyone know who designed this wallpaper and where I could get it?
Comment by Mel on November 1, 2009 at 4:50 pm
[...] post on the Hoke House by Jeff Kovel from Skylab architecture (see my original interview with him here!) I thought now would be a good time for an update on the architecture of New [...]
Pingback by New Moon Home to go under the hammer. | Design Tavern on November 24, 2009 at 8:13 pm
http://bit.ly/1S8vVA Ksa dos meu sonhos com o ED! :D
Trackback by Kaah on December 13, 2009 at 1:45 pm
[...] [...]
Pingback by The Hoke House - Gossip Rocks Forum on December 17, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Interview with Jeff Kovel – The architect of the Cullen House (Hoke House) from twilight. http://bit.ly/4OiKLw
Trackback by Henry McKenzie on January 4, 2010 at 1:20 am
http://www.designtavern.com/2009/02/interview-with-jeff-kovel-the-architect-of-the-cullen-house-hoke-house-from-twilight/
Trackback by Elie Fournier on January 4, 2010 at 2:51 am
http://bit.ly/1S8vVA OH MY…. *drools*
Trackback by mikoblanco on January 10, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@designtavern RT From the Vaults: The architect of the Cullen House (Hoke House) from twilight. http://bit.ly/4OiKLw
Trackback by Cynthia Mendes on February 11, 2010 at 6:47 pm
RT @designtavern From the Vaults: The architect of the Cullen House (Hoke House) from twilight. http://bit.ly/4OiKLw
Trackback by S SOK on February 11, 2010 at 6:47 pm
@JvargZ : i found this thing on the Twilight house from @DesignTavern – http://bit.ly/4OiKLw maybe you can use it for your BluRay project?
Trackback by Alexandra on February 12, 2010 at 4:37 am
From the Vaults: Interview with Jeff Kovel – The architect of the Cullen House (Hoke House) from twilight. http://bit.ly/4OiKLw
Trackback by Henry McKenzie on February 14, 2010 at 12:38 pm
RT @designtavern Interview with Jeff Kovel – The architect of the Cullen House (Hoke House) from tw.. http://bit.ly/G6zvx
Trackback by Martha Varela on February 26, 2010 at 4:29 am
Interview with Jeff Kovel – The architect of the Cullen House (Hoke House) from twilight. http://bit.ly/1v2aj3
Trackback by Lora Coburn on February 26, 2010 at 11:28 am
[...] Skylab Architecture http://www.skylabarchitecture.com/ > Design Tavern interview with Jeff Koven http://www.designtavern.com/2009/02/interview-with-jeff-kovel-the-architect-of-the-cullen-house-hoke... > Hooked on Houses review of the house [...]
Pingback by The Cullen House « Daily Breaks on March 4, 2010 at 1:26 pm
[...] an interview about the Hoke’s home, Mr. Kovel told the blog Design Tavern that he and his staff saw the movie together and have received fan mail from all over the [...]
Pingback by Thursday Diversion: ‘Twilight’ House Architect’s First Solo Project | Loan Finder on March 5, 2010 at 11:24 am
[...] an interview about the Hoke’s home, Mr. Kovel told the blog Design Tavern that he and his staff saw the movie together and have received fan mail from all over the [...]
Pingback by Thursday Diversion: ‘Twilight’ House Architect’s First Solo Project | Mobile Home Loans on March 6, 2010 at 10:13 am
I thought John Hoke was cool last week, but TWILIGHT WHAT. http://bit.ly/2fcl05
Trackback by Julia Rubin on April 14, 2010 at 6:48 am
This house amazing!
A teacher of mine has a best friend who’s parents own this house and they keep a POD at it for when the movie is filmed so that the set design crew I guess can move stuff in that belong to the owners in the POD.
Comment by Lynn on July 19, 2010 at 12:30 pm
morri http://www.designtavern.com/2009/02/interview-with-jeff-kovel-the-architect-of-the-cullen-house-hoke-house-from-twilight/
Trackback by hannavi on July 22, 2010 at 10:00 pm