Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Aguilar and Liz Cordill.
Jose and Liz, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
We are a group of architects who decided to pursue custom fabrication for architectural interiors. In our time as practicing architects, we would often find that special design elements would end up being removed from projects if their complexity made them too costly for traditional construction methods. We knew we had the training and access to technology to be able to create these special elements.
We started by investing in a CNC router and other rapid prototyping tools and began creating walls and custom furniture that required a high level of precision and craftsmanship. Our first projects were bars and restaurants built in the vibrant EaDo (east of downtown)neighborhood of Houston. The walls gave each space a unique identifying element that helped the marketing (social media) presence of each venue.
Initially, we offered a turn-key approach to design- providing the design services, fabrication, and installation. In the past two years, the demand has grown for fabrication services among other designers, so we have focused on offering fabrication and installation services to the design community as a whole.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting a new type of business is certainly not a smooth road, Trained as architects, we had to learn quickly about running a business. Our initial business plan had to adjust to the market demands rapidly. We also had to take on multiple unfamiliar roles including accounting, sales, marketing, and management.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about māk studio – what should we know?
We make cool stuff! That is our brand and culture. We specialize in creating custom architectural walls, ceilings, and furniture.
We are so proud that we are becoming a trusted resource for our clients. They have a better understanding of manufacturing techniques that allow them to get their most innovative ideas built.
Our training as architects sets us apart from other carpentry studios, especially our training in computational design (code-based design). This allows the freedom of parametric modeling to optimize a design idea to the most viable and economical option.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many people have helped us along the way. Our wonderful clients such as 8th Wonder Brewery and the Secret Group Comedy Club, Jim O’Neill with Inventure Design, the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Buisnesses organization, our family and most of all our amazing team at māk.
Pricing:
- custom wood walls $25-$35/ square foot
- custom solid surface panels $55-$75/ square foot
- custom vacuum-formed solid surface panels $75-$100/ square foot
Contact Info:
- Address: 305 Velasco
Houston, TX 77003 - Website: www.makstudio.us
- Phone: 713-505-1234
- Email: info@makstudio.us
- Instagram: makstudio_us
- Facebook: makstudiotx
- Twitter: makstudio_us
Image Credit:
Peter Molick, Alejandro Nunez
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