Meet David Applebaum | Architect

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Applebaum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I do not think I really had a choice. You see, I have always seen things differently. By that I do not mean that I couldn’t see myself crunching numbers all day or reading contracts, I have a great deal of respect for the people who perform those tasks, but I just think differently. Many people might see a doorknob, but to me I see a handshake that welcomes one into a new space. Once one sees things from this perspective, nothing else is ever the same. And this opens up interesting conversations about columns, windows, steps, scale, balance and the myriad of elements that turn a space into something not just beautiful, but magical. I believe life is better if you love what you do, and this is a joyful way to experience life. Sure, I have to deal with the issues of building codes, budgets, and occasional creative blocks, but I do not mind these challenges because they are part of the creative process and help me grow as a creator. It is also very important to realize how satisfying it is to see my clients realize their dreams in the designs that I create. I don’t know many people who get to follow their passion, innovate and make people happy, but I get that privilege and that is why I chose a creative career.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I just try to listen and connect with my clients so that I can synthesize a great number of elements into a cohesive expression of who they are and how they live. Every client, every site, every story is unique. Every job is life altering for my clients and I do know that. It is a huge commitment of time, money and energy. In the end, it is not my house but theirs. I want everyone that visits to pull the client aside and state – “this is so you”. I am still in touch with my past clients, and I love it when they call me to catch up or share something that even months or years later, they tell me how our work has become one of the special parts of their lives. It takes time to do the work the way that I do, but I find the rewards are worth the effort. I remember a client’s friend called me to say they saw the drawings and had to ask me how I came up with something so beautiful. I had to be honest… I drew and re-drew the design maybe 3000 times and it wasn’t until drawing 3001 that it finally was the perfect and beautiful design for their friend.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My secret spots will remain secrets and the best spots are where my friends are, but this town just has so many things that make it special and they take me all over town from breakfast at the Pantry and visiting Disney Hall, the Broad and the Temporary Contemporary followed by dining and shopping in Little Tokyo, to Pasadena for a visit to the Art Center College of Design campus and the Huntington Museum & Gardens and my favorite burger at Super Burger. The UCLA campus and the Hammer Museum with a stop at the Apple Pan is fun, as is Will Rogers Park AND Will Rogers Beach after window shopping in Beverly Hills. And the Hollywood Bowl, Sofi, Dodger Stadium, the back room at Canter’s deli, Silverlake coffee shops, Howlin’ Rays and Patrick’s Roadhouse are just the start of sights and tastes that just scratch the surface of this gem that I call home. This is Los Angeles… and with an open mind and curious eye, everything.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would not be where I am without my clients. They have believed in me, and I have learned so much from every one of them. From my first clients, Jeff Ayeroff and Marty Longbine to the ones that am working with today… they have made the journey truly the best part of my life experience. There are simply too many to list, so I invite you to see them all at https://www.davidapplebaum.com/connections.html

Website: https://www.davidapplebaum.com/

Instagram: davidapplebaum_architect

Linkedin: David Applebaum

Facebook: David Applebaum Architect

Yelp: do not believe in it

Youtube: video series coming soon

Image Credits
color image of David Applebaum is Brett Fairless, Black and white image of David Applebaum is Kurt Oldman and all other shots were taken by me