Ken-Owner
Ken Kirsch has over 25 years of experience in residential remodeling. His work in the trades began while still a student at UC Davis. Ken graduated from UCD with a degree in Studio Arts and put his liberal arts education to use as a carpenter working in the Bay Area. Over the years, remodeling became as much of a passion for Ken as his artistic pursuits. Creative solutions were always part of a remodeler’s job description and a thoughtful approach to building presented another opportunity to have a positive influence on every day life. Ken and Ellen relocated their growing family to Davis in 2001 and then started MAK Design+Build in 2003.

Ken is a member of two national trade organizations, Remodeler’s Advantage Round Table and the National Association of Remodeling Industry. He is also a member of the Davis Downtown Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce, and is a certified green-building professional through the non-profit organization Build It Green.

Ken is still a working artist (painting mostly at night in his converted garage studio). He shows his paintings in local venues and is represented by Bucheon gallery in San Francisco. Depending on the season, Ken coaches Little League baseball and AYSO soccer. For fun, he loves running, honing his golf skills and playing ultimate frisbee.

Juliana-Project Assistant
Juliana Tadano came to us with a background in biological consulting, and a desire to help the environment on a more local, practical level. MAK's commitment to quality building and green education was right up her alley! Juliana brought a wide variety of skills and experience with her, and MAK has found a way to utilize all of them. She assists with project design and development, researches green products and practices, writes our newsletters, develops marketing efforts, and assists the production team.

Juliana and her husband are working on greening their condo in West Davis, so she is using much of her green research at home. She also keeps busy with her family and Bernese Mountain Dog, involvement at church and with her homeowner’s association, and getting outdoors as much as possible.

Tony-Expediter
I’m Tony. My job is officially known as an expediter. To qualify for this position I bring over 40 years experience in sales and dealing with supplies. (It didn’t hurt that I am also Ken’s dad!). I am what in slang is known as the “go-for.” I purchase and deliver lumber and materials, and many other items. I recycle wood and metal and offer support for all the projects we are working on, usually on short notice and as quickly as possible, in order to expedite completion of our projects.

Chris-Project Manager
Born and raised in Woodland, CA, Chris has been in the remodeling and custom construction business for over a decade. With knowledge and experience in all trades, Chris contributes not only great craftsmanship, but also a practical, common-sense approach to problem solving and project management.

Chris is a Certified Green Building Professional, and has produced and managed several award-winning remodels, including 3 NARI CotY Award winners.

Chris and his high school sweetheart Lauren have been married since 2006. They welcomed their first child, Olivia, in 2009. They spend their free time working on their own home, camping, golfing, and barbequeing in the backyard. Chris also passionately enjoys hunting, fishing, cooking, gardening, and NASCAR racing.

Anthony-Director of Design
Modern enthusiast and MAK designer Anthony Anderson brings a focused creativity and fresh verve to all of his projects. He holds a degree in environmental design, and is a certified green building professional. For over a decade, he has brought his unique blend of form and function to the disparate objects and environments he has been charged with creating. Boasting a portfolio of award-winning designs and featuring work in children’s furniture, traveling exhibition environments, and nearly everything in between, Anthony has found his “home” in residential design.

“Working at MAK has proven to be a rewarding reminder that beauty and responsibility work best when they are in concert with each other and that small changes can have big impacts.”

When he’s not thinking about ways to improve your home, Anthony can be found fantasizing about mid-century furniture, seeking out the perfect tuna tartare, and quizzing his son Hayden on the subtle nuances of high-stakes poker.

Ellen-Bookkeeper
Ellen grew up in Rochester, NY, loving fairytales – especially those with humble enchanted cottages in the woods. After moving to California, she met her Prince Charming (aka Ken Kirsch) and with their two children moved to Davis to settle into their happily ever after. Ellen’s love of humble cottages in the woods persists with sustainable building providing the enchantment. As for the woods, Ellen is an active volunteer and promoter of school gardens and has served on the Tree Davis Board of Directors. It goes without saying that Ellen is a habitual gardener planting trees (and so much more) around her family’s own little cottage.

At MAK Ellen keeps the bills paid, reports filed and the licensing, insurance and tax requirements up to date. While bookkeeping would appear to lack magic and enchantment, slaying the paperwork dragon is essential to ensuring the modern fairy tale ending.

Nathan-Carpenter
Nathan is originally from Wisconsin. He ventured his way out to California in September of 2007. He found MAK and liked their style of work and design. He has over 10 years experience in the remodeling and construction industry. He enjoys building and the continuous process of introducing green products and techniques to homeowners. His experience and attention to detail show in his work and at the completion of each project.

Nathan grew up in rural Wisconsin on a cattle farm. He enjoys hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, and pretty much anything outdoors. He also likes to watch football, baseball, and NASCAR on weekends when he's not perusing the Davis farmers' market.

Jorge-Carpenter
Coming to MAK with over 13 years of carpentry experience in custom and track homes, Jorge was looking to learn more about green building and the aspects of building with renewable materials. His interest in structural framing and his eye for details gives him what he needs to be a successful member of the MAK team.

Originally from the Bay Area, Jorge came to Davis in 2002. In his free time Jorge enjoys muscle cars, kayaking, walking his dogs at the UC Davis Arboretum, and renovating his own house.