The Making of MAK

You Gotta Start Somewhere

Ken and Ellen's adventure into the world of design and construction kicked off in a way that could only be described as serendipitous. Picture this: it's the 1980s, Ken has hair and is at a yoga retreat in Santa Cruz. Instead of perfecting his downward dog, he ends up discovering a love for carpentry! Fast forward a few years, and he's in San Francisco, juggling construction gigs by day and painting in his art studio by night. Construction was just a paycheck until he stumbled upon the design-build model while working for a remodeling company in Silicon Valley. Cue the lightbulb moment… turns out, he could combine his love for art and his knack for building things in a way that was both professional and creative.

Around the same time, Ellen was busy making the world a more beautiful place, one bouquet at a time, as a florist in San Francisco. When they met, it was like the stars aligned; they realized they had a shared passion for creating spaces that were not just functional but downright fabulous.

Ken and Ellen on their wedding day, smiling together outdoors; Ellen wears a red dress with a floral headpiece, reflecting her background as a florist.
Ken holding their young daughter alongside Ellen in the 1990s, standing in front of one of Ken’s colorful oil paintings from his time as an artist before founding MAK.
Ken and Ellen, founders of MAK, sitting together outdoors on dry grass, smiling in casual vintage attire before starting their business.

Calling Davis “Home”

So, what did they do? They packed up their lives, moved to Davis, and decided to start a business together. In 2003, they set up shop in the most stylish office you can imagine - an Airstream trailer parked right in their driveway. With a team of three, a lot of coffee, and big dreams, they got to work.

Ken and Ellen’s young children smiling in front of MAK’s original trailer office, a small silver Airstream that marked the early days of MAK Design + Build.”
Early MAK Design + Build team posing at a community event booth with MAK signage, showcasing the company’s grassroots beginnings and connection to local clients.
Early MAK Design + Build team gathered together indoors right after moving into downtown Davis office. The team is seated in front of large windows.”

Getting Better All The Time

Fast forward 20+ years, and what started in that tiny trailer has blossomed into something pretty amazing. They’ve built a team of over 20 talented designers, craftspeople, and trade partners, and they've even upgraded to a proper office building in downtown Davis (though the Airstream still holds a special place in their hearts and their driveway).

Along the way, they’ve been pioneers in green building practices, working with the City of Davis to create a local green building program long before it was cool (or required by law). Their mission has always been to deliver thoughtful, creative designs and to build spaces that are not just built to last but are also kind to the planet.