California Homes - Design In The Golden State 25th Anniversary Issue

Architect Profile

A simple yet rustic porch opens the great room up to the restored forest meadow, oriented to take advantage of the expansive lake views.

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Significant cultural and institutional projects, frequently performed on a pro bono basis, include the Stuart House for sexually abused children, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum and the Islamic Society of Santa Barbara, a testament to interfaith harmony wrapped in classic California Vernacular architecture.

Mineau and Scott reject the concept of a signature style, resulting in Appleton Partners’ wide-ranging, eclectic portfolio. Such versatility may be attributed to the partners’ insightful view of the architect-client relationship as described by Scott.

“We come in with no preconceived notions, and engage in an honest dialogue with our clients,” he explains.

Further expressing the firm’s approachable philosophy, embodying a principle worth reinforcing at every architecture school, Mineau states with humility, “We’re really just a vehicle to put form to a client’s imagination.” CH

Modeled after Argentinean Estancias, the main residence is oriented to engage its surroundings with defined exterior spaces that embrace the equestrian program.

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Partners: Andrew Scott (left) and Ken Mineau (right).

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The restored Stonehouse restaurant at San Ysidro Ranch with its welcoming mountain and ocean views.

OPPOSITE TOP

A restored Historic George Washington Smith residence in Woodside that maintains its original character while accommodating the needs of modern living.

OPPOSITE BOTTOM

SENSE of PLACE

At Appleton Partners LLP, Architects Ken Mineau And Andrew Scott Manage A Diverse Array Of Celebrated Projects That Respect History

BY ROGER GRODY

AS PARTNERS of Appleton Partners LLP,

architects Ken Mineau and Andrew Scott oversee an ever-evolving portfolio of high-profile residential, hospitality and commercial projects. The firm, established in 1976 by Marc Appleton, is noted for a sophisticated approach to design that, regardless of style, reflects a reassuring sense of time and place.

Midwest-born Mineau earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture at University of California, Berkeley, while Scott, a native Angeleno, received his Bachelor’s Degree from USC and Master’s in Architecture from UCLA. Both joined Appleton Partners in 2000, and their opportunity to study, work and travel abroad has fostered an appreciation for diverse cultures.

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The firm’s signature residential projects, encompassing a wide range of architectural influences and demanding expertise in historic preservation, have included Florestal in Hope Ranch, the Buster Keaton estate in Beverly Hills and Falcon Lair in Bel-Air, the Doris Duke residence originally built

by Rudolph Valentino. The firm is also renowned for its hospitality projects, with the two partners collaborating on the ambitious restoration of Montecito’s San Ysidro Ranch, a project requiring a delicate balance of imaginative design, historic preservation and environmental sensitivity.

The architects faced a challenge to update the 19-acre resort’s infrastructure to 21st century standards without jeopardizing the property’s historic charm. “Part of our job was to educate the client on the site’s rich history, the stories that create the romance of staying there,” explains Mineau. In addition to preserving the magic of San Ysidro Ranch, Appleton Partners was retained for the reimagination of Montecito’s historic Miramar resort for two different clients.

Interestingly, the firm’s extensive portfolio of residential projects has earned it greater credibility among major hospitality and commercial clients. After designing a Malibu beach house for Rick Caruso, for instance, the prominent developer/ civic leader commissioned Appleton Partners to redesign the Miramar after he acquired it, and to masterplan his groundbreaking Palisades Village commercial project in Pacific Palisades. “I think our clients appreciate that the pedestrian scale of those residential projects is very relatable to hotel guests or retail customers,” suggests Scott.

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