We are the
collective build company

Collective Build Co. was born to help fill a need both in our founders' local community while helping our global community.

The Collective Build Team

About Collective Build Company

In 2015, fourth-generation home builder Zane Ellis and his wife Lauren returned to their hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. After working for other businesses in the home building industry, they felt it was time to return home to build a company of their own. The couple’s vision for their new business was to create thoughtfully-designed, well-crafted homes that made sense for all stages of life.

Also in 2015, Zane and Lauren traveled to Uganda for the first time. There, the dream of creating a business that would support people not only locally, but throughout the world, was born. Since 2018, Collective Build Co. has worked with Homes4Homes, a nonprofit organization that empowers home building companies to help build housing throughout the Global South.

Collective Build Co. believes in purpose over profit. We hope to use our collective voice to contribute creativity and community in East Tennessee and around the world.

Zane & Lauren Ellis

Zane Ellis has been in the industry for 20 years.  He learned the industry by working for his father growing up and went on to develop his craft working for other home design and building companies in Nashville, Tennessee, before returning to his hometown of Knoxville with his wife, Lauren, in 2015.

Lauren Ellis is a licensed realtor who works to design spaces that are both classic and comfortable. She is passionate about helping people around the world and has lived in India, working with an organization that benefits trafficked women and girls.

Zane & Lauren Ellis

Meet the Collective Team

Tracy Leonard

Tracy Leonard

Controller
Alyssa Laing

Alyssa Laing

Client & Communications Manager
Olivia Fourie

Olivia Fourie

Pre-Construction Manager
Ben Ging

Ben Ging

Project Manager

See what we're working on

current projects