it's interesting that Apache doesn't have, or choose the use of a pipe

I expect Apache to simply open the log file in append mode. That should also work with a named pipe (a.k.a. FIFO). mknod /var/log/httpd/access.log p should be sufficient. Apache writes to that pipe, and a resolver program reads from the pipe.

But Apache can do even better, see piped logs:

CustomLog "|/usr/local/bin/name-resolver foo bar baz" common
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The shell can also be invoked, that should allow creating a second pipe for a rotating logger:

CustomLog "|$/usr/local/bin/name-resolver foo bar | /usr/local/bin/mul
+tilog t s1000000 /var/multilog/apache" common
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Alexander