Living Stone Design + Build – Asheville, North Carolina

July 29, 2024

Living Stone Design + Build

Building a Legacy of Health, Innovation, and Community

Constructing a leading design path forward

Living Stone Design + Build, a construction company based in Asheville, North Carolina, boasts a reputation for quality and innovation spanning three decades. In 2023, company President, Sean Sullivan, was awarded the title of Custom Home Builder of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders. It is accolades such as these that are keeping the company firmly pointed towards a lucrative future as it continues to embrace the Japanese term “Kaizen” which means continuous improvement, remaining true to its mission to build not just homes but happier, healthier lives.

Embarking on a Greener Build

Sullivan states, “We had an opportunity in 2006 to build one of the first Certified Green homes, and with that came an additional certification of Energy Star. I was approached by the newly formed Green Building Council about doing it, and I thought, ‘Why would we not want to build something better every time we do it?’ So, we built one of the very first certified homes in Asheville.”

This project marked a significant milestone in the company’s pursuit of sustainability and efficiency. However, an unexpected challenge arose when, upon selling the home, the buyers requested a radon test which revealed dangerous levels.

The experience was a turning point for the company, as Sullivan recounts, “We realized that we didn’t know what we didn’t know. We thought we had picked out everything for this home to be a safe green home, energy efficient, good indoor air quality, and sustainable. But we realized that there were still some things that were outside of our control.” Although at the time radon testing was not part of the green certification, Living Stone began incorporating passive radon systems in all their builds.

A Time to Pivot

Sean Sullivan, President

The next step was to address indoor air quality beyond construction. They identified that while they could control the materials and specifications during the build, post-construction elements like furnishings often compromised indoor air quality. This led to the establishment of ID.ology Interiors and Design, Sullivan’s wife Laura’s interior design firm, which specializes in sourcing low VOC and non-toxic furniture.

“We became a design-build firm. Laura would specify all of the selections that went into the house, and we would specify all the specifications that went into the build,” Sullivan illustrates. “But what we quickly realized is that there were factors that were not in our control. After we handed over the keys to this Green Certified home, the homeowners were moving in furniture, which was then off-gassing in the house.”

Living Stone realized the importance of educating homeowners about maintaining indoor air quality after moving in. They started sourcing low-VOC and non-toxic furniture through ID.ology, ensuring that clients’ homes remain healthy and comfortable post-construction.

“It was very difficult to find and still is today. So, we began sourcing it, and it became so well received that we started to feel guilty that we were keeping this to ourselves,” Sullivan expands. “So, we decided that we should open up a store to make this readily available to not only the public but also the trades. And that’s when we ended up opening Atelier Maison and Co, which is a healthy furnishings destination.”

A Change in Approach

Flash forward five more years, and Sullivan once again recognized the need to make adjustments to their approach. “People come out here and they want views, and they want outdoor living, but you can’t control what gets built around you unless you’re in a coveted neighborhood,” he conveys. “With that said, the coveted neighborhoods combined with the municipal regulations have gotten very stringent and we found that it was taking longer and longer to launch projects. So, what we did is we formalized an actual pre-construction department.”

When a lead contacts Living Stone, they screen the potential client to ensure mutual compatibility and provide transparent information, including pricing. The process starts with a pre-construction contract, which allows the company to proceed with necessary preliminary steps like surveys, geotechnical engineering, and architectural introductions. This contract also facilitates further pre-construction services such as interior design.

“We have a system with our sister company ID.ology where they come in and do a pre-build package, which means while the plans are being designed, the selections are being made with the interior design firm so that when both things are completed during pre-construction, Living Stone can then price out the project for the client and have it be very close to the actual cost,” Sullivan expands.

To help provide prospective clients with realistic cost estimates, Living Stone has also developed a program called the Ballpark UPE (Unit Price Estimate), which is continually updated with data from the latest completed projects. “We have a computer model, where we can plug in the desired square footage, or the desired budget and we can spit out a very accurate forecasted budget for them that will give them line-by-line budget items,” he relays.

Living Stone holds an unlimited building contractor license, enabling them to undertake both commercial and residential projects.

“We could build a small house, or we could build a Walmart. And under our license, we could do anything in between,” Sullivan says. Notable examples of their luxury commercial work include a facility known as The Collaborative near Biltmore Village and Orion Retreat and Daycare, a dog and pet spa in Weaverville NC. “Those kinds of things are classically our niche, but we can build storage buildings and we can do parking garages and more,” he adds.

Valued Relationships and Community Outreach

At the heart of Living Stone’s success is the relationships they develop, including those with clients. Sullivan underscores these relationships can span from the design phase, lasting six months to several years, to the construction phase, and beyond with their preventative maintenance program. “Our ‘why’ at our company is building happier, healthier lives, and that starts with our clients,” he asserts.

Living Stone’s commitment to positive relationships extends beyond external clients to include the internal teams where all three companies operate in the same facility. Giving back to the community is also a priority, evident by First Friday, an initiative that all of the companies participate in, where they support local charities such as the Black Mountain Home for Children, Western North Carolina Rescue Mission, and Bounty and Soul.

Sullivan elaborates, “On the 1st Friday of every month we serve one of those charities. Each of our people is given three opportunities to participate. One would be through a financial contribution, another way would be through a donation, and the 3rd way that people can volunteer is through actual service. We pay people their normal rate on Friday afternoon to come out to that charity and do some manual work.” Living Stone also reaches out to clients, allowing them to contribute to a local charity. “So, each year, between our services and donations and our clients, we raise about $100,000 for each of those charities,” he continues.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Living Stone Design + Build thrives on its valued collaborations and partnerships, which are pivotal to its success. Sullivan acknowledges the significance of these relationships in enhancing their service delivery and overall client satisfaction. He mentions trusted trade partners such as CW Brown for exterior work, A-American Electric, Haywood Appliance, Chase Godfrey for grading, and Allied Insulation.

Addressing ongoing workforce shortages, Living Stone works to maintain positive relationships with its trade partners. “Back in 2008 they were called subcontractors and vendors, and I felt like trade partner was more of a universal and appreciative term. We have worked hard in the last 15 years to build strong relationships with them, where we were bringing value to the table. They could work for anybody. We want them to work for us,” Sullivan stresses.

As part of this commitment, and to ensure two-way communication, regular trade partner meetings are held, ensuring everyone is aligned and engaged. Living Stone also works to bring opportunities such as business workshops, to help these partners grow their businesses.

A Continued Evolution

As for what the future holds, Sullivan remarks, “To me, it’s about empowering and equipping our people. Doing that means building them as professionals, regardless of what their job position or title is in the company.”

He shares a new undertaking, known as the Sullivan Family of Companies (SFC) Learning Institute, where classes about pertinent industry trends and innovations are taught to employees, along with other opportunities such as guest speakers during company meetings. “So continuing education, to empower and equip our people is what I would say our number one objective is for the future,” he concludes.