Business Details
50 Years
experience
Award-Winning Architectural Design in Santa Barbara & Santa Monica
Appleton Partners was founded in 1976 by Marc Appleton, a visionary architect with a deep commitment to blending tradition and innovation. Our firm specializes in custom residential, institutional, and commercial design, with a portfolio spanning over 850 projects across California and beyond. We prioritize collaboration with clients, ensuring each design reflects their unique needs while harmonizing with its environment. Our work emphasizes timeless aesthetics, functional integration of buildings and landscapes, and meticulous attention to detail. With offices in Santa Monica and Santa Barbara, we serve private and public clients through planning, design, and landscaping services. Our team of licensed architects and designers brings decades of experience, having earned numerous awards and recognition in publications like Architectural Digest.We reject rigid stylistic branding, instead focusing on creating spaces that honor their place and time. Our expertise extends to historic restorations, adaptive reuse, and new construction, with a dedication to sustainable practices and client satisfaction. The firms principals, including AIA members and NCARB-certified professionals, have led projects featured in major design periodicals and have received lifetime achievement accolades. We maintain affiliations with prestigious organizations like the American Institute of Architects and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, underscoring our commitment to excellence.
Services
Residential Design
Commercial Architecture
Landscape Planning
Historic Restoration
Project Management
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We have over 45 years of experience in architectural design and planning.
- Our team has completed 850+ custom residential and commercial projects.
- We prioritize collaborative design tailored to client needs and site context.
- Our work integrates buildings and landscapes for harmonious, functional spaces.
- We are recognized by Architectural Digest and have won numerous industry awards.
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Architects
What people say
Collaborative process
Attention to detail
Functional designs
Award-winning team
Client-focused approach
Services
Residential Design
We create custom residential designs that balance aesthetic beauty with functional living spaces. Our approach considers client lifestyles, site conditions, and environmental integration. Projects range from modern estates to traditional restorations, emphasizing timeless design principles and sustainable practices.
Commercial Architecture
Our commercial projects combine practical functionality with striking architectural elements. We design spaces that enhance business operations while maintaining visual appeal. Services include office buildings, retail centers, and institutional facilities tailored to client brand identity and operational needs.
Landscape Planning
We integrate buildings with their surroundings through thoughtful landscape planning. Our designs create cohesive outdoor environments that complement architectural elements. Services include garden design, site grading, and sustainable planting strategies that enhance property value and usability.
Historic Restoration
We specialize in preserving architectural heritage while updating structures for modern use. Our team meticulously restores historic buildings using traditional techniques. Projects maintain original character while incorporating contemporary amenities and energy-efficient systems.
Project Management
We provide comprehensive project management from concept to completion. Our team coordinates with contractors, ensures regulatory compliance, and maintains design integrity throughout construction. Services include budget oversight, timeline coordination, and quality control for all project phases.
People
Marc Appleton
Founding Principal
Marc Appleton, AIA, founded the firm in 1976 after studying at Harvard and Yale. He has received numerous awards including the Westweek Star of Design Lifetime Achievement Award. His expertise spans residential and commercial architecture, with a focus on classical design principles.
Ken Mineau
Managing Partner
Ken Mineau, AIA, joined Appleton Partners in 2000 and oversees the Santa Barbara office. With degrees from UC Berkeley, he has designed projects across Asia and the U.S., including the San Ysidro Ranch Resort renovation. He specializes in large-scale commercial and residential developments.
Andrew Scott
Design Partner
Andrew Scott, AIA, NCARB, directs the Santa Monica office. A USC graduate, he has managed projects from Beverly Hills to Martha's Vineyard. His work combines modern functionality with traditional aesthetics, and he holds expertise in sustainable design practices.
Andrea Van den Eikhof
Associate Principal
Andrea Van den Eikhof, with a UCLA architecture degree, joined in 1997. She excels in translating client visions into reality, with leadership roles in mentoring staff and improving office collaboration. Her projects emphasize proportion, detail, and construction quality.
John P. Margolis
Senior Project Manager
John Margolis, AIA, joined in 2019 with expertise in classical architecture. A Washington University graduate, he serves on the ICAA Southern California Chapter and focuses on traditional design approaches adapted for Southern California's climate.
Questions
What services does Appleton Partners LLP offer?
We specialize in custom residential, institutional, and commercial architectural design, including historic restorations, landscape planning, and project management.
How does Appleton Partners LLP approach client collaboration?
We prioritize direct collaboration, tailoring designs to client needs, budgets, and site-specific contexts to create functional, timeless spaces.
What areas do you serve?
While based in Santa Barbara and Santa Monica, we work on projects throughout California and select national/international locations.
What makes your firm unique?
We reject rigid stylistic branding, focusing instead on creating context-driven designs that harmonize with their environment and client needs.
