I have always dreamed of a house in the forest, surrounded by trees, where I can enjoy the peace and greatness that only nature can give to human beings. I have imagined myself admiring the beauty of each season through my windows every day: spring with its delicate, colorful flowers, when everything comes back to life; summer when forest is a blessed heaven of refreshing air and emerald beauty; autumn – rich and sad with its symphony of colors and perfumes; winter covering everything in white crystals …
When I saw the images of Hoke Residence, it was like a dream getting tangible, because this is the house to live in a forest. It somehow looks like a stylized tree, with a base like a stem and a larger superior level like a treetop. It is made of concrete, wood and glass, but the major impression is given by the honey warm color wood that simply integrates in the environment.
The interior of the Hoke Residence seems to be an invitation in the forest as the large windows leave space to nature in this home. The furniture, the accessories, the decorations, the carpets, the floors are a sweet harmony of brown colors, all matching, all integrating. One might ask himself if he lives in the forest or is the forest that lives in this house, as everything is conceived to invite to contemplation, to joy and primordial peace.
The living room has a large comfortable sofa near a generous bookshelf. The transparent fireplace gives and impression of an ancient space in the modern context. Every wall has space for a tinny window and once more invites light and forest to be part of the atmosphere. The floor has huge terraces, where wood reigns and where one might have dinner in a summer evening, enjoying the symphony of forest sounds or where might enjoy reading a book in the fresh air. This is the place for meditation, for a morning coffee surrounded by trees.
The stairs are simple, minimalist, but they gracefully integrate in the concept of the architect by transparency and color. The staircase, like all other parts of the house, is underlined by natural light. The bedroom is white and I have the feeling that no other color would better match, as it is a space where beauty is given by simplicity. Through the bedroom, you may access a tiny private space, an office where to work or study. This room is again a space of light, having a very interesting window, cut in the middle of the bookshelf. It is a perfect place for privacy and efficiency, an inspiring background for any intellectual work.
The bathroom is simple, in colors of stone and decorated with beautiful white objects. It has a generous tub and a basic shower, so that one may enjoy either the pleasure of a refreshing shower or the joy of an aromatic or foamy bath. Of course there is a big window so that nature joins the background. There is another spacious, beautiful room with a wall of glass and one of wood where eyes are delighted by light and colors, having a big sofa that invites to relaxation but also to conversation. Near the window there is a beautiful and extremely modern and chic armchair that is perfect for reading a book or for simply admiring the omnipresent nature. The black marble and the exterior stairs having irregular geometrical forms give a touch of modernity and style to the house transforming it in a harmonious combination of modern and daring architecture that underlines the beauty of nature.
The Hoke Residence is in the same time astonishingly smart built, an ode to nature and light, but also to comfort and efficacy. The team from Skylab Architecture has created an absolutely incredible home to set in a forest!
