EDUCATION

Arizona State University -- Tempe, Arizona
College of Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture, 1968

Appleby Entry Doors
Studies 1963-1968

Calvin Straub FAIA, Tempe, Arizona Residential Architect, Arizona State University
Paolo Soleri Architect, Scottsdale, Arizona Arcology
The Mega Structures

LICENSE STATUS California State Licensed Architect, 1972
DESIGN INFLUENCES Applebaum was personally influenced by some of Modernist architecture's greatest names. He studied under architectural visionary Paolo Soleri, was mentored by the late Calvin C. Straub FAIA, professor of the University of Southern California and Arizona State University Schools of Architecture, and became a friend of the late Cliff May, the master of the California Ranch House.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY Taking the California Modern ideal of indoor-outdoor living in a highly individualized manner, Applebaum's timeless designs spring from Modernism's ideal of truth in function and materials. His Zen-like approach to the site respects nature. Believing that real architecture grows out of the land, he integrates his structures into the surroundings so that they blend harmoniously with the natural environment.  
DESIGN STYLE While his architectural style has best been described as Southern California Modernist, Applebaum's designs defy categorization. His elegant, stylish and sophisticated homes set the standard for contemporary California architecture. He has been called a designer of a "masterwork of craftsmanship, detail and drama" by Michael John Pittas, dean of the Parsons School of Design; and creator of the "quintessential San Diego home" by architecture critic and author Dirk Sutro.  
DESIGN ELEMENTS

An Applebaum home takes on a sculptural form as cantilevered roof lines, clerestory glass and transparent interiors come together. Exposed structural steel and wooden beams support soaring ceilings that appear to float in space. Natural wood, concrete block and large expanses of glass embrace the outdoors, creating a sense of freedom. Interior spaces open into one another, creating an intriguing interplay between light and shadow.

 

PROJECTS  

 
Custom Residences

Roger Ellestad Residence, De Luz, California 2012
Richard C. Matheron Residence, Escondido, California 2009
The Starkman Residence, Fox Hollow,  Paso Robles, California  2007
The Kyles Residence, Cardiff, California  2007
The Estate, Rancho Santa Fe, California 1997 thru 2005
The Estate: Living quarters and Utility Barn
Hultman Residence, Alpine, California 2002
Richard Shapiro Residence, Rancho Santa Fe, California 2003
Robert Shapiro Residence, Cornelia, Georgia 2002
Susynski Residence, June Lake, California 1998
Bateman Guest House, Rancho Santa Fe, California 1997
Mueller Residence, Kensington, San Diego, California 1996
Ellis Residence, Annapolis, Maryland 1994
Bateman Residence, Rancho Santa Fe, California 1994
Riegel/Gillespie Residence, Sycamore Canyon, California 1994
Matheron Guest House, Escondido, California 1993
Matheron Residence, Escondido, California 1991
Brown Residence, Fairbanks Ranch, California 1988
Summers Residence, Rancho Santa Fe, California 1988
McElliot Residence, Scripps Ranch, California 1988
Druckman Residence, La Jolla, California 1987
Gould Residence, Ephiram, Wisconsin 1987
Hargarten Residence, Green Valley Highlands, California 1985
Shaevitz Residence, Fairbanks Ranch, California 1984
Haimsohn Residence, Point Loma, California 1983
Slonim Residence, Rancho Bernardo, California 1981
Appleby Residence, Escondido, California 1978
DeGenaro Residence, La Jolla, California 1977
Schmitt Residence, Mission Hills, California 1976

Remodels/Additions

Jim Plank Residence, Del Cerro, California 2011
Jerri Stringer and Ralph Hughes, San Diego, California 2011
Jeff Styers Residence, Escondido, California 2009
John Griffin Residence, Del Mar, California 2007
Jim Plank Residence, Del Cerro, California 2006
Bruce Davidison Residence, Coronado, California 2006
Nolan Penn Residence, La Jolla, California 2006
Ellen James Residence, La Jolla, California 2005
Kim Blickenstaff Residence, El Cajon, California 2004
Haluza Residence, Escondido, California 2003
John Kernan Residence, Point Loma, California 2003
Grauer Residence, Del Mar, California 2001
Dennison Residence, Point Loma, California 2000
Roth/Shapira Residence, Point Loma, California 1999
Nute Residence, Point Loma, California 1997
Neely Residence, Mission Hills, California 1997
McIntyre Residence, La Jolla, California 1997
Jonathan Sackier, Del Mar, California 1995
Mary Austin, Palomar, CA 1995
Fong Residence, Pacific Beach, California 1994
Mary Barringer Residence, La Jolla, California 1994
Irene Allis Residence, La Jolla, California 1993
Gary Brown Residence, Kensington, San Diego, California 1993
Applebaum Residence, Kensington, San Diego, California 1993
Peter Darby Residence, Escondido, California 1992
White Residence, La Jolla, California 1988
Charles Brown Residence, Del Mar, California 1986
Brimm Residence, La Jolla, California 1986
Shapiro Residence, La Jolla, California 1985
Kurlander Residence, La Jolla, California 1981
Ford Residence, Point Loma, California 1979
Wolf Residence, Point Loma, California 1975
Leinow Residence, Pacific Beach, California 1975
Seabold Triplex, Pacific Beach, California 1974
Krichman Residence, Escondido, California 1974
George Residence, Rancho Bernardo, California 1974
Seabold Residence, El Cajon, California 1973
Gaelen Residence, La Jolla, California 1972
Earley Residence, Pacific Beach, California 1972

Commercial

Four Points Hotel, San Diego California, Interior Design,
Remodel and Additions 1996-1997

Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Clubhouse, New Facilities
Rancho Santa Fe, California 1992

Kawasaki, Theilacker, Ueno & Associates, Landscape Architects
San Diego, California 1979

Park West Realty, Mission Hills, California 1975

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

American Institute of Architects San Diego Chapter’s
2018 Robert Mosher Lifetime Achievement Award
(Watch and listen to the presentation )
St. Paul’s Cathedral – Great Hall, San Diego
October 18th, 2018

San Diego Magazine 50 People to Watch, January 1998

Lillian Rice Award, 'The Lily'
Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Clubhouse 1994

Commendation for Outstanding Design
Rancho Santa Fe Association 1992

San Diego Magazine, People to Watch, January 1987

San Diego Home/Garden Magazine, Home of the Year
Overall Grand Winner, Appleby Residence, February 1986

A Gazebo at Seagrove Park, Overall Winner
City of Del Mar architectural competition
Del Mar, California 1975

TELEVISION

NBC7
"Down to Earth with Dagmar" segment (See video Watch video)
"Couple Shows Energy Efficiency in Heatwave"
September 18, 2014

KUSI-TV
The Joe Lizura Interview (See video Watch video)
Tour of the Norm Applebaum Studio, Mt Helix/La Mesa, California
December 15, 2009

HGTV Homes Across America
Show #'s 404, 408, 411
October, November, December 2000

Discovery Channel
Design, Lynette Jennings
Show #'s 335-55, November 1999
Matheron, Appleby, October & November 2001

NBC Channel 7/39 San Diego's Most Beautiful Homes
May 12 & 14, 1997

FEATURE ARTICLES

INTERNATIONAL

Mid-Century Home Website
Norm Applebaum Architect Designs a Luminous Residence
in Southern California
https://www.midcenturyhome.com/suncatch-residence
"Suncatch" Featured May 21, 2020

Architizer website
"Suncatch" / Norm Applebaum Architect
https://architizer.com/projects/suncatch/
Project of the Day, December 19, 2018

Archello website
"Suncatch" / Norm Applebaum Architect
https://archello.com/project/suncatch
September 5, 2018

ArchDaily website
"Suncatch" / Norm Applebaum Architect
https://www.archdaily.com/899972/suncatch-norm-applebaum-architect
August 13, 2018

Modern Steel Costruction Magazine
"what’s cool in steel - COOL Cantilevers "
August 2017 (Read article Read article)

Modern San Diego website
"Norm Applebaum's Fox Hollow"
(Read e-mail Read article)
November 2016

Adorable Home website
"A Sight to See: Non-Traditional House Architecture"
https://adorable-home.com/houses/non-traditional-house-architecture-55639
July 2016

External Brain website
"Fox Hollow/Norm Applebaum"
May 19, 2016

Archello website
"Fox Hollow"
https://archello.com/project/fox-hollow
May 26, 2016 (Read article Read article)

Architizer website
"Starkman Residence Fox Hollow"
https://architizer.com/projects/starkman-residence-fox-hollow/
May 19, 2016 (Read article Read article)

ArchDaily website
"Starkman House / Norm Applebaum"
https://www.archdaily.com/786499/starkman-house-norm-applebaum
May 2, 2016 (Read article Read article)

Sig Nordal, Jr, website
"Starkman House / Norm Applebaum"
https://sigurdurnordal.org/2016/05/02/starkman-house-norm-applebaum/
May 2, 2016

iflarchitecture website
"Starkman House / Norm Applebaum"
May 19, 2016

(In the works): Paul Finch, editor, Architectural Review, London, article about The Estate

NATIONAL

(In the works): Robert Ivy FAIA, editor, Architectural Record, New York, article about The Estate

Julie A. Martens
"Pool Gardens, Pools & Hot Tubs, Hard at Play" (Bateman Residence)
Garden Deck & Landscape, a Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publication (Spring, 2004)

Dori Olmesdahl and Debra Lee Baldwin
"Pool Perfect: For seamless integration, study the design elements" (Bateman Residence)
Garden Deck & Landscape , a Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publication (Summer, 2002)

Sally Clark
"Colorful Character" (Matheron Kitchen)
Kitchens and Baths, a Women's Day Special Interest Publication (1993)

REGIONAL

Los Angeles Times
"Home of the Week: Contemporary craftsmanship in Escondido"
July 24, 2011 (Read article Read article)

Los Angeles Times
Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Clubhouse
View Section, December, 1992

LOCAL

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Star Quality on Display", Roger M. Showley
October 18, 2009

"'Wings' and, now, a prayer", Roger M. Showley (Read article Read article)
November 11, 2007
Matheron Residence

"Simply Grand: Rancho Santa Fe home is over the top, yet firmly rooted in nature", Roger M. Showley (Read article Read article)
Sunday Home Section, June 4, 2006
The Estate, Rancho Santa Fe

Sunday Home Section, May 9, 2004
The Estate, Rancho Santa Fe

"On Architecture", Kay Kaiser, Matheron Residence
August 1990

"A Legacy Rediscovered"
November 1987

"Architect's Perspective", Norm Applebaum
December 1973

San Diego Magazine

Kimberly Cunningham
San Diego Magazine, The Home Issue " The Spanish Stunner "
March, 2012

Tom Shess
"Favorite Child: His designs are his children, and after 31 years and numerous successes, architect Norm Applebaum best remembers the one he lost"
(Riegel-Gillespie Residence)
October, 2004

Tom Shess
"Suncatch: Norm's Masterpiece" (The Estate)
January, 2004

Tom Pasqua
"Patios and Pools are a Matter of Personal Space to San Diegans"
(Riegel-Gillespie Pool)
May, 1997

Susan Terpening
"Creative Kitchens" (Matheron Residence)
October, 1992

Clare White
"A Western Classic in Poway" (Hargarten Residence)
November, 1988

Virginia Butterfield
"Variations on a Santa Fe Theme: Architect Norm Applebaum creates a Southwestern sculpture in this North County hacienda" (Slonim Residence)
January, 1986

Claire White
"Country Aire: Architect Norm Applebaum's spacious masterpiece of light and wood" (Appleby Residence)
April, 1983

San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine

Mark Hiss
"The Jazzman of Architecture: Q&A with Norm Applebaum"
August 2014 (Read article Read article)

Norm Applebaum
Letters to the Editor
"Architecturally Speaking"
November 2011 (Read letter Read article)

Ron Dohono
"Out of the Ashes"
September 2011 (Read article Read article)

Phyllis Van Doren
"Gather the Sun: 5 top advocates and their thoughts on solar energy"
September 2011 (Read article Read article)

Wayne Carlson
"Stars of San Diego Norm Applebaum Architect"
January 2010 (Read article Read article)

Debra Lee Baldwin
"May Day, Norm Applebaum's take on the Ranch-Style Home"
May, 2009 (Read article Read article)

Wayne Carlson
From the Editor
"Architectural Gems & Gardens Too"
May, 2009

Made in San Diego, Master Artists, Craftsman & Designers
"Notables in Organic Architecture", Page 103
January, 2009

Debra Lee Baldwin
Cover story: "Ruocco Revisited: Architect Norm Applebaum's home is a mid-century masterpiece" (Applebaum Residence)
June, 2005 (Read article Read article)

Debra Lee Baldwin
"Requa Redux: La Jolla home restoration honors and improves original" (McIntyre Historic Remodel)
May, 2003

Debra Lee Baldwin
"On a quiet Kensington canyon lot, a serene home by Norm Applebaum reveals itself slowly" (Mueller Residence)
September, 2002

Wayne Carlson
"ASID Remodel Tour, Requa Renewed" (McIntyre Residence)
June, 2002

Phyllis Van Doren
"20 Years of Artful Architecture: Classics All" (Matheron Residence)
August, 1999

Phyllis Van Doren
"Affairs of the Heart: A marriage of good design" (Riegel/Gillespie Residence, kitchen)
April, 1997

Phyllis Van Doren
"Soaring: Architect Norm Applebaum's latest design takes flight"
(Matheron Residence)
September, 1992

Dirk Sutro
"Custom Home Report: Discussions with San Diego homeowners and architects who still create the dream" (Druckman Residence)
July, 1988

Phyllis Van Doren
"Renewing the Spirit: A home becomes a thoughtful, restful gallery, inside and out" (Laventhol Residence)
June, 1986

Dirk Sutro
Cover Story: "Home of the Year: Boulders and Oaks" (Appleby Residence)
February, 1986

Ranch & Coast Magazine

Patrons of the Prado, Suncatch, The Estate, Rancho Santa Fe, California
Guided tour by the architect November 2006

Riviera Magazine

Arts & Power Issue
Gillian Flynn
"The Ambassadors", page 124 (The Estate)
December, 2008

San Diego Daily Transcript

Dirk Sutro
"The Quintessential San Diego Home" (Appleby Residence)
August, 1993

South Coast Style

Kristin Kirke
(Bateman Residence, Riegel-Gillespie Pool)
1996-1997

Lisa Coleman, Melanie Crandell
(Laventhol Residence)
1998-1999

Decor & Style

M.B. Mathers
"Pool Panache" (Riegel-Gillespie Residence)
July, 1996

Dream Homes

Atkins, Mary Jo
"Architectural Work of Art" (Riegel-Gillespie Residence)
July, 2003

Rancho Santa Fe Review

Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Clubhouse
September, 2002

Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Clubhouse
December, 1993

Cartouche, journal of the New School Arts Foundation

Zachary Adams
"Norm Applebaum, Architect" (profile)
"To create the finest homes around."
Spring 2003

Blade Citizen

"Unique North County Homes"
April, 1992

BOOKS

The American House - 100 Contemporary Homes
Images Publishing 2017
The Starkman Residence, "Fox Hollow", Pasa Robles, CA
See excerpt See excerpt

21st Century Homes Innovative Designs by North America's Leading
Architects

Panache Publishing 2011
The Charlie Brown Residence, Fairbanks Ranch, California
The Richard C. Matheron Residence, "Wings", Escondido, California
See excerpt See excerpt

Extraordinary Homes of California
The Carlton Appleby Residence
Panache Partners, LLC Publishers, 2008
ISBN 13: 978-1-933415-69-7
See excerpt See excerpt

2000 Architects
The Images Publishing Group Pty Ltd
ABN 89 059 734 431
Australia 2006

1000 Architects
The Images Publishing Group Pty Ltd
ABN 89 059 734 431
Australia 2004

Pool Scaping
by Catriona Tudor Erler
Storey Publishing, 2003
Bateman Swimming Pool, Rancho Santa Fe, California

Another 100 of the World's Best Houses
"Wings", The Richard C. Matheron Residence
The Images Publishing Group Pty Ltd, 2003
ISBN 1 920744 24 X
See excerpt

LECTURES

Eye For Art
Survey of the architect's work and discussion
San Diego, California
November 13, 2013

Docent Lecture
San Diego Museum Of Art, Copley Auditorium, Balboa Park.
San Diego, California
"Spirit As An Expression Of New Architecture"
March 16, 2012

Friends of East County Arts
"The Home as Architecture"
Grossmont Health Care Center at Briercrest Park Auditoium
La Mesa, California
February 11, 2010

Western Washington University Alumni Association
"A Way of Life", The Architecture of Norm Applebaum AIA
El Cajon, California
November 7, 2009

North County Palomar Chapter, American Institute of Architects
"Southern California Architecture and Its Regional Setting"
June 25, 2008

AIA Montana Fall Conference
"Architecture: 33 Years of Residential Design"
Dinner and Lecture
Montana State University, Student Union Building
Lecturing with studios of Applebaum, Gehry, Bruder and Mockbee
Bozeman, Montana
October 28, 29, 2005

San Diego Museum of Art, East County Chapter
"Architecture and the Single Mind"
Grossmont Health Care Center at Briercrest Park Auditorium
La Mesa, California
February 2, 2004

Friends of San Diego Architecture
"The Estate:  A Seven Year Creation"
The New School of Architecture, November 15, 2003

Newschool of Architecture, San Diego, California
Unity of Architecture and Life
March 12, 2003

Structural Engineers Association of San Diego
"The Estate", Rancho Santa Fe, CA
University City, January 21, 2003

Cuyamaca College "Homes Across America" HGTV
Class, Lecture and Discussion
About Architecture as a Way of Life
Instructor Cynthia Cecil, 2002

The Think Tank Art Organization, Escondido, CA
Art & Architecture, 2001

American Institute of Architects, San Diego Chapter
& San Diego North County Chapter
An Evening with Norm Applebaum AIA
Del Mar, California, April 1998

Christa McAliffe School, Oceanside, California
Bateman Guest House, April 11, 1997

San Diego Museum of Art - North County Chapter, Del Mar
Architecture: 25 Years of Residential Design
February 24, 1997

Friends of San Diego Architecture
"The Home" Architecture as a Way of Life
The New School of Architecture, October 19, 1996

The Timmerman School, Pflugerville, Texas
Profession of Architecture, November 27, 1996

RADIO

Talk show guest, "Talk With Tricia" Tricia Craven Worley ASID
San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles

ASID Tour and Architecture, McIntyre Residence
With Robert Wright ASID

DVD

VTA Villa Tyto Alba,
The Richard C. Matheron Residence, Escondido, California
A history of the project from Design, Ground Breaking, Topping Off and
House Warming.
April 2012

TOURS

Mingei Museum, Directors Circle tour of the Norm Applebaum Architectural Studio
Mt. Helix/La Mesa, California
May 2, 2011

McIntyre/Baron Residence
La Jolla, California
Home tour for 80 with Architect Norm Applebaum AIA
October 19, 2006
Presented by University of San Diego
Compass Family Center at USD

The Estate, "Suncatch", Rancho Santa Fe, California
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Patrons of the Prado
Architecture Tour and Reception with Norm Applebaum Architect

The Estate, "Suncatch", Rancho Santa Fe, California
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Mingei International Museum's Twenty Eighth Anniversary
Honoring Martha Longenecker, Founding President and Director Emerita
Sunset Dinner & Celebration
Chaired by Suzanne and Norm Applebaum AIA

The Estate, Rancho Sante Fe, California
October 5, 2004
Raymond Kappe, Architect
Shelly Kappe, Architectural Critic and Writer
Kappe Studio
Robert Mosher, Architect
Founder of Architects Mosher, Drew, Watson and Ferguson

The Estate, Rancho Santa Fe, California
November 22, 2003
Martha Longenecker, Founder and Director of the Mingei Internation Museum,
San Diego, California
Mira Nakashima-Yarnall, Nakashima Woodworkers, New Hope, Pennsylvania
John Yarnall, Woodworker, Nakashima Woodworkers

ASID Remodel Tour, June 2002
McIntyre Residence, La Jolla, California

The Estate, Rancho Santa Fe, California
Raymond Kappe, Architect,
Founder and Past Dean of the Southern California Institute of Architecture
Los Angeles, California
November 2002
Construction phase

The Estate, San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles,
Editor and videographer Wayne Carlson, and writer Debra Baldwin
November 2002
Construction phase

Matheron Residence, Women in Architecture, Tour of 100
With Barbara Carlton, Architect and President of Women in Architecture
1992

ACTIVITIES

Fine Art
Photography, Sculpture, Painting

Music
Trombone, Los Angeles Music Conservatory and Private Studies
James Stamp, Brass Instructor 1956-1958

San Diego Jazz School and Private Studies
Hal Crook, Brass Instructor 1984

Private Studies, George Roberts, Brass Instructor 1994

Singer, San Diego Master Chorale, San Diego Opera Chorus

San Diego Symphony

Jazz musicians the architect has played with:
Stan Kenton
Les McCann
Jack Sheldon
Dick Hyde
Dick Shearer
Peter Sprague
Nick Martinis

Member:
Board of Directors San Diego Master Chorale 1981-2000
San Diego State University Art Council, 1984

Horticulture
Horticultural Society of San Diego County
San Diego County Orchid Society
San Diego County Succulent and Cactus Society
San Diego Bonsai Club

Leaded Glass
All leaded glass designed by the architect with fabrication by
Jeff Dalrymple of Antofte Studio, San Diego, California