Our Work
Stone, plaster, steel and wood, shaped by hand, one project at a time.
The Aviator
Malibu
Designed by Apel Design · Built by Apel A Team
High on a ridge above Malibu, on the site of the old Copper Dome house, The Aviator was built to look as if it had just landed. Its steel frame reaches out over the hillside, so the rooms seem to float above the canyon. Inside, a red stair climbs through the house, and a concrete pool runs out to the edge of the view. Arrive at dusk and the whole house glows against the mountains.
Maliview
Malibu Mountains
Designed by Apel Design · Built by Apel A Team
Maliview sits in the Malibu Mountains, where the afternoon light turns gold. Apel Design developed the property and we built it in stone, plaster and glass: hand-set stone walls, plum plaster, round windows that frame the hills. The courtyards and the arched terrace were made for long evenings outside. The owner loved the house enough to ask us back to build the barn beside it.
The Barn
The owner asked us back to build a barn beside the house: a lounge, bar, gym, sauna, steam shower and cold plunge.
Mintcello
Malibu
Designed by Apel Design · Built by Apel A Team
Mintcello started with the whole site, not just the house. The driveway, terraces, orchard and pool were set before the walls went up, so arriving feels like walking into a garden. Inside, stone walls meet white plaster, arched windows open to the ocean, and the stair is finished in hand-painted tile. At the entry, an iron gate and a sculpture we made for the property mark the way in.
Commissions
Commissions
Kitchens, built-ins and one-of-a-kind pieces, made for the homes they live in.
The Blue
Malibu · Finishing this year
Designed by Apel Design · Built by Apel A Team
The Blue is a study in two materials worked by hand. Our masons set the stone course by course from scaffolding while the plasterers built up the walls beside it, so the two meet as one facade. Inside, the kitchen island was shaped on site rather than delivered. The house is nearly finished now.
Via Cataldo
Malibu · Completion 2028
Designed by Apel Design · Built by Apel A Team
About 8,000 square feet above the coast, looking out over Latigo Point. Right now the work is in the ground: excavation, shoring and foundation walls poured within sight of the water. It is the part no one sees later, and the part that matters most. Completion is planned for early 2028.
The Design
We build things we'd want to come home to. If you have one in mind, we'd like to hear about it.
Apel A Team
Let's Talk