Thank you for Subscribing to Construction Business Review Weekly Brief
Construction Business Review
Living Stone Design + Build
Building Green, Non-Toxic and Sustainable Homes
Sean D. Sullivan, PresidentAt the heart of its philosophy is the transformative concept of ‘Whole Living,’ which goes beyond traditional green building practices. The firm focuses on designing and constructing environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient homes, prioritizing indoor air quality and overall well-being. It promotes a balanced and sustainable lifestyle by addressing material toxicity, energy efficiency, and healthier living environments.
Leading the way is Sean D. Sullivan, an accredited master builder and certified green professional whose impact reaches far beyond his projects. Setting a benchmark for environmentally conscious, award-winning custom homes in Western North Carolina, he is reshaping how homes are designed, built, and lived in.
“As an active builder, I teach other builders continuing education. I bring real-time, hands-on experience to my teaching,” says Sullivan, president.
His unique combination of practical expertise and industry knowledge makes him a sought-after instructor at the North Carolina Builder Institute. He develops and delivers courses drawn directly from real-world challenges and successes, offering actionable insights to elevate the construction industry’s standards.
His impact extends beyond education, encompassing leadership and industry advancement. This dedication is evident in his service as president of his local Home Builders Association in 2008 and his tenure as president of the North Carolina Home Builders Association in 2015.
Recently, he participated in an expo, delivering three days of continuing education to builders. Sullivan develops his courses, often drawing from his work at Living Stone Design + Build, enriching the construction industry with actionable knowledge.
Building Green and Beyond
The driving force behind ‘Whole Living,’ is Sean Sullivan and his wife, Laura Sullivan. While Sean focuses on building certified green, energy-efficient homes, Laura runs ID.ology Interiors & Design, guiding clients in selecting finishes and furnishings that align with sustainable and health-conscious principles. They co-own Atelier Maison & Co., a green furniture studio offering non-toxic, heirloom-quality pieces. This vertical integration ensures that every aspect of a home—not just its construction but also its furnishings—supports healthier living.
Clients who visit its facility near Biltmore Village experience the seamless collaboration among its three companies. During the tour, the team shares its philosophy and demonstrates how Living Stone Design + Build supports healthier living with a mission to create happier lives across all ventures.
Sullivan further observed that even in green homes, clients often brought in furniture that off-gassed harmful substances, potentially impacting their health. This insight led the company to extend its commitment to sustainability beyond construction, offering clients non-toxic furnishings and practical guidance on living green. “We empower clients to live in truly sustainable, toxin-free environments, extending our green living vision beyond the walls of the home,” adds Sullivan.
“We realized that building green homes was only part of the equation,” Sullivan explains. “True sustainability means creating spaces where people can live healthier lives, free from toxins and environmental hazards.”
What distinguishes Living Stone Design + Build is its proactive approach to addressing a critical challenge in green construction—the impact of indoor air quality. The firm discovered that while energy-efficient homes are excellent at minimizing environmental impact, they inadvertently trap harmful substances introduced during construction. To address this, Living Stone Design + Build ensures that the materials used in their homes are non-toxic while educating clients on how to live green.
As an active builder, I teach other builders continuing education. I bring real time, hands-on experience to my teaching
Sullivan further observed that even in green homes, clients often brought in furniture that off-gassed harmful substances, potentially impacting their health. This insight led the company to extend its commitment to sustainability beyond construction, offering clients non-toxic furnishings and practical guidance on living green. “We empower clients to live in truly sustainable, toxin-free environments, extending our green living vision beyond the walls of the home,” adds Sullivan.
A Case for Healthy Homes
A recent collaboration with a customer who had lived in a Chicago house with a water line leak in the laundry room for nearly 10 years—until mold became visible highlights Living Stone Design + Build’s impact. The customer approached the company after developing health issues from black mold exposure. With chemical sensitivities, she sought the company’s expertise to build a healthy, non-toxic home when she relocated to North Carolina.
Living Stone Design + Build worked closely with the client to craft a certified home that exceeded its rigorous standards. This was the first project in North Carolina to be certified “Wellness Within Your Walls”, focusing on ten key categories that include indoor air quality, water quality, sustainability, site conditions, and spiritual revival. The result was a home that addressed her health concerns and set a new benchmark for non-toxic, sustainable living.
Personalized Processes, Exceptional Outcomes
Living Stone Design + Build distinguishes itself by understanding each homeowner’s priorities, whether program-driven—focused on their specific needs and wants—or budget-driven, with cost as the ultimate deciding factor. This understanding allows the firm to tailor its approach to creating happier, healthier lives. Its process includes 19 meetings, from initial engagement to the conclusion of the warranty, with a strong focus on quality control, team coordination, and client communication to ensure everything stays on track.
The company now handles commercial projects, custom homes, full home renovations, and, most recently, restoration projects. Treading ahead, Living Stone Design + Build has expanded into new territories. Its reach has extended from North Carolina into South Carolina, Cashiers, and Lake Norman. In addition, it has grown its commercial, renovation, and restoration services.
For Sullivan, leadership isn’t confined to running a successful construction firm—it’s about creating a ripple effect of positivity that reaches everyone the company interacts with. His philosophy of “building happier, healthier lives” extends to three key audiences—the Living Stone Design + Build team, the clients they serve, and the broader community.
“We focus on reaching in, reaching up, and reaching out,” Sullivan explains. “Reaching in means supporting our internal customers—our employees—by fostering a workplace prioritizing their growth and well-being. Reaching up is about delivering exceptional service to our external clients, ensuring we meet their needs while staying true to our mission of creating healthier spaces.”
Living Stone Design + Build believes strong communities thrive on compassion and collaboration. This philosophy is reflected in the firm’s monthly initiative, where team members volunteer on the first Friday of each month. Through this initiative, Living Stone Design + Build partners with organizations such as the Western North Carolina Rescue Mission, an orphanage, and Bounty and Soul, a food distribution group. By rotating between these groups each quarter, the firm ensures a meaningful and lasting impact on the community.
Living Stone Design + Build isn’t just shaping homes—it’s shaping lives by embracing a holistic construction approach, where thoughtful leadership, strategic planning, and a commitment to excellence converge. Guided by Sullivan’s visionary leadership, the firm continually redefines what it means to live well and sets a new standard for sustainable homebuilding.
How Living Stone Design + Build Became a Self-Managing Company
