It’s that time again, New Moon has been out for a couple of weeks now and there is a now familiar twilight frenzy.

After the popularity of the original 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 Moon.

Although the Hoke House made an appearance in New Moon interiors shots were in fact from another home restored by the very accomplished contemporary residential architect, Brian Hemmingway and located in West Vancouver, Canada

The home was originally designed by Arthur Erickson, a Canadian and largely celebrated architect whom sadly passed away just this year, and was built in the 1950s.

It has fallen into disrepair and it was then that Hemmingway was approached to undertake its restoration.

The home is built in the post and beam style with dramatic entertainment areas, high ceilings, two fire places, amazingly open spaces and massive windows opening out to a leafy Canadian surroundings.

The Home is for sale by luxury real estate agent Soprovich (and also where all images are credited to) and hopes to fetch 3.3 million
I would love to hear which house you prefer (The Hoke House or the Erickson/Hemmingway)

You can see the original House used in my post here..

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.

UPDATE: Interior Images of the residence from New Moon HERE

Myself and two other architecture students went along to see the new vampire come romance movie twilight..

..We made the mistake of going opening day. Aussie kids are currently on their Christmas break and amoungst them, screaming teens, all hungry for the blood (like vampires.. get it?) of teen heart throb, ex- harry potter star, Robert Pattinson or ‘Edward Cullen’ as those who have seen the movie might know him.

Edward’s room.. see more on it here at Apartment therapy

It might come as a surprise to you, that myself and my friends, all in our twenties (and two of us male..) all swooned at one point..

But it probably wasn’t for the same reason as majority of the audience.

I’m talking about the Cullen’s House..

After seeing Manvi’s post for the house featured in twilight over at her blog Mochatini, I decided to do some of my own exploring..

Edward Cullen: “What did you expect? Coffins, and dungeons and moats?”
Bella: “Um..not the moats.”

Well I’m happy to say that there were no coffins, dungeons or moats.. but rather a splendid contemporary home, that’s certainly worth investigating…

The Hoke House is 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 amazing symmetry and rough floor looks great, and the (perhaps over used) hanging lamp looks great in this living room.

The meals and dining area look warm and inviting, a strong use of timber again, simple tables and furniture used effectively.
Notice the floor to ceiling windows wrapping the kitchen that provide great natural lighting as well as splendid green, forest views.

The contemporary boxy home is well positioned on the site, the architects have taken advantage of the natural sloping landscape and have strategically placed the home so it looks out over the greenery.

It’s the use of timber that really does if for me, the striking middle floor of three level home creates a nice contrast with the industrial grey of the other stories, and again, relates back to it’s site, fitting in nicely with its green forest setting.

Modern, white and pristine bathrooms

Amazing bathroom window/skylight would allows its users to feel very free and open when stripped down and having a shower.

The contemporary feel is continued inside the home. The walls are a tradational modern clean cut white, though the clever use of timber is continued into the home as floorboards and on the stairs.

The house is open and bright and naturally well lit through the obvious use of large and multiple windows.

A bit of a side note, Twilight was a great movie and is definitely worth watching, (i’ve just started the first book also!)
But i’ll leave it up to you to decide which you prefer, the eye candy of Edward Cullen or his home.

Edit!: Also see my interview with Architect — Jeff Kovel Here

24/11/09 UPDATE: The New Moon Home is for sale! Check out more images HERE

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