Luxury Home · Architecture + Interiors

The Aviator

Malibu

Project perspective

A sculptural Malibu residence in which architecture, interior space, color, art, and the mountain setting form one continuous idea.

The design story

The Aviator demonstrates the studio’s belief that a residence can be both highly personal and technically resolved. Strong geometry does not stop at the exterior; it continues through openings, stairs, color, furnishings, and the way rooms meet the landscape.

The project is also evidence for Apel Design’s integrated residential approach. Site, building, rooms, water, light, and art are treated as parts of the same composition rather than separate layers added by unrelated decisions.

The Aviator residence and pool at sunset in the Malibu mountains — Architecture, water, and horizon

Red sculptural stair and integrated artwork inside The Aviator — Interior architecture + color

Sculptural figures integrated into a residential entry court by Apel Design — Art, material, and arrival

Site + foundation

Concrete pool shell and skid loader during sitework at The Aviator

Concrete pump truck working at sunset during construction of The Aviator

Drilling rig setting foundation piers at The Aviator

Structure

Off-the-Grid New-Build Called 'The Aviator' Rising on Former Site of Malibu's Famed Copper Dome House — The Aviator under construction, cantilevered wood framing rising from the foundation pad

Steel beam set against the sky during framing of The Aviator

Structural steel frame of The Aviator on its hillside pad

Carpenter carrying sheathing through the steel frame at The Aviator

Finish work

Large-format tile being set over waterproofing at The Aviator

Completed

The Aviator at dusk, exterior nearing completion

Kitchen island and bar seating at The Aviator

Completed kitchen at The Aviator with integrated appliances

Living area at The Aviator with a mustard-toned bar and hillside views

Bedroom at The Aviator with red accents and full-height glass to the view

Bedroom at The Aviator opening to the Malibu hillside

Bedroom at The Aviator with a red feature wall and original art

Angled ceiling and glass wall at The Aviator at sunset

Red floor and angled red wall in an interior at The Aviator

Curved red ceiling and deck at The Aviator

Deck at The Aviator overlooking the hills

Cast concrete sink against an orange wall at The Aviator

Glass shower with a hillside view at The Aviator

Hallway at The Aviator with graphic wall art and red accents

Twin vessel sinks on a concrete counter at The Aviator

Bathroom at The Aviator with concrete surfaces and red accents

Red shower fixture in a corner at The Aviator

Hallway of round porthole windows and vanities at The Aviator

Powder room at The Aviator with polished plaster walls

Kitchen and bar at The Aviator beneath an angled red wall

Narrow cast sink and mirror at The Aviator

Built-in wood shelving niche at The Aviator

The finished house

Kitchen and living area at The Aviator with a sculptural red column

Kitchen island and red accent wall at The Aviator

Stairwell at The Aviator with a ring chandelier and graphic wall art

Vessel sink and red shower fixture in a bathroom at The Aviator

California Living: Guess the Price of These Mega Million-Dollar Modern Marvels — Upper landing at The Aviator with a red floor panel and pendant lighting

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 1 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 2 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 3 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

Malibu's other-worldly Aviator House asks $6.49M, featuring kaleidoscopic colors at every turn — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

Inside the Aviator, a $7.5 Million Flight-Inspired Home on a Rugged Mountaintop High Above Malibu — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 4 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 5 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 6 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 7 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 8 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 9 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 10 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 11 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 12 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 13 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 14 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 15 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 16 of 16 — The Aviator, a sculptural cantilevered residence by Apel Design in Malibu

What this project shows

Lessons carried into the next commission.

A recognizable idea

The home is organized around an architectural language strong enough to be understood from approach, landscape, and interior.

Interior continuity

Geometry, color, material, art, and custom elements carry the architecture into daily life.

Land + horizon

Openings, outdoor rooms, and water extend the experience toward the Malibu mountain setting.

Rooms

Bathroom at The Aviator, a residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 1 of 4 — Bathroom at The Aviator, a residence by Apel Design in Malibu

Bathroom at The Aviator, a residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 2 of 4 — Bathroom at The Aviator, a residence by Apel Design in Malibu

Bathroom at The Aviator, a residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 3 of 4 — Bathroom at The Aviator, a residence by Apel Design in Malibu

Bathroom at The Aviator, a residence by Apel Design in Malibu, view 4 of 4 — Bathroom at The Aviator, a residence by Apel Design in Malibu

Kitchen at The Aviator, a residence by Apel Design in Malibu

Bring us the ambition, the difficult site, or the project that needs to become clear.

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