About

  • About Mars Built

    Mars Built is a furniture design build practice guided by stewardship — of inspiration, of materials, of sound, and of the work that happens between them.

    We design and build desks, systems, and studio furniture shaped by real workflows, careful listening, and long-term use. Our work lives at the intersection of furniture making and sound, where objects are not only seen, but lived with — supporting the act of making music over time.


  • Where the Practice Began

    Mars Built was born from a practical need.

    I’ve been fortunate to spend years playing music and working closely with electromechanical keyboards — Rhodes, Clavinet, Wurlitzer — alongside analog synthesizers and Hammond organs. These instruments demanded care, maintenance, and attention, but they were also deeply considered objects, shaped by brilliant engineering, masterful craft, and clear intention.

    Working with them instilled a lasting respect for how sound, touch, and material can exist together — not as nostalgia, but as a rich, analog experience across the senses.

  • A Missing Middle Ground

    As much as these instruments shaped the way I played, it wasn’t realistic to bring them to every gig. Their weight, fragility, and logistics made them impractical. The alternatives offered modern functionality, but lacked the physical presence and thoughtfulness that made those instruments feel alive.

    Something essential was missing.

    Out of that tension came the first Mars Built creations — custom MIDI controllers that combined modern capability with forms that felt intentional, substantial, and at home on stage. These early builds marked the moment where music and making fully merged.

  • Presence and Use

    Over time, that same thinking expanded beyond instruments into furniture.

    Rather than treating furniture as background, Mars Built pieces are designed to contribute to the atmosphere of a space — enhancing focus, comfort, and the experience of playing and listening. Proportion, material, and restraint are used to create objects that feel calm, grounded, and supportive of the work taking place around them.

    The goal has remained consistent:     to create beautiful, intentional furniture that enhances both the environment and the act of making music.

Stewardship

Mars Built was founded by Esteban Chavez, a musician and studio craftsman working at the intersection of furniture, sound, and music culture.

Today, Mars Built continues as a growing practice — grounded in hands-on making, long-term thinking, respect for natural and local materials, and the belief that the environments we work in shape the work itself.