Preconstruction
Scope, access, constructability, schedule, sequence, procurement, consultant coordination, and early cost questions considered before field work accelerates.
Custom home construction
Build the home with the design still in the room.
Custom and luxury home construction in Malibu and Southern California, coordinated with architecture, interiors, sitework, procurement, and field execution.
Professional credentialsCreative direction with accountable professional delivery.
Architecture + designApel Design, in association with Michael B. Maclaren, AIA.
Licensed residential constructionCreative New Dimensions Inc
CA General Building Contractor · Class B · CSLB #1056632, in conjunction with Apel Design for Design-Build
Why this matters
A custom home is not a standard product with upgraded finishes. Its structure, openings, materials, systems, interiors, landscape, and details depend on hundreds of connected decisions.
Apel Design brings construction knowledge into residential design early, when access, sequence, structure, materials, procurement, waterproofing, and trade coordination can still improve the architecture rather than merely react to it.
Architectural services are performed in association with Michael B. Maclaren, AIA. Licensed construction is provided by Creative New Dimensions Inc, CA General Building Contractor, Class B, CSLB #1056632, in conjunction with Apel Design for Design-Build. The exact team, scope, and contractual structure are established for each home.
Capabilities
What the work requires.
Site + structure
Foundations, framing, building systems, openings, waterproofing, exterior interfaces, and site conditions coordinated with the architectural intent.
Interiors + finishes
Millwork, stone, tile, lighting, kitchens, baths, fixtures, hardware, color, and custom elements carried through selection and installation.
Field continuity
Questions, observations, samples, mockups, trade input, and quality decisions kept close to the people responsible for the design.
Selected evidence
Experience you can see.
The work below comes directly from our portfolio. We identify projects by name and city or neighborhood where appropriate; private street addresses are not published.
Southern California
Completed residence
A finished home where architecture, landscape, material, and light read as one composition.View related work ↗
Southern California
Pool courtyard
Exterior living coordinated as part of the residence rather than a separate afterthought.View related work ↗
Malibu Mountains
Framing the view
Building decisions organized around the experience established by the architecture.View related work ↗How we work
A clear path through complexity.
Define
Establish the project, responsibilities, drawings, consultants, scope, schedule, and decision process.
Prepare
Coordinate constructability, site logistics, procurement, trade input, selections, and permitting requirements.
Build
Manage field sequence, questions, inspections, materials, quality, and communication.
Finish
Carry the work through installation, adjustment, corrections, close-out, and occupancy.
A strong fit for
Teams looking for design intelligence and practical clarity.
- Clients planning a custom or luxury home
- Owners of coastal or hillside property
- Clients seeking architecture and building continuity
- Projects with significant interiors or custom fabrication
- Owners who value direct field communication
Custom homes we designed and delivered
Framing, structure and finish on our own projects.
Every image below is from an Apel Design project.
Questions
Useful answers before we begin.
Who provides the construction license?
Licensed construction is provided by Creative New Dimensions Inc, CA General Building Contractor, Class B, CSLB #1056632, in conjunction with Apel Design for Design-Build, when included in the project scope.
Can architecture and interiors remain part of the construction conversation?
Yes. That continuity is central to the approach: design intent, materials, custom details, engineering, and field conditions remain connected as the work advances.
Does every project use the same delivery structure?
No. Scope, contracts, consultants, construction responsibilities, and owner involvement should be defined for the needs of each project.