DesignStone
DesignStone is a specialist resilient building systems company that sells patented hybrid wall assemblies, precast concrete cladding, and home designs to Gulf Coast residential and light commercial markets via a certified partner network across the US and Australia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersSan Marcos, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DesignStone does
DesignStone is a specialist resilient building systems company that delivers hybrid wall assemblies, architectural precast concrete cladding products, and home designs to the Gulf Coast residential and light commercial markets. The company traces back to 1974 in Western Australia, built on the Modular Precast Steel Form (MPSF) technology invented by registered builder Allan Burke in the 1960s. DesignStone expanded into the United States in 2024, establishing operations in San Marcos and Corpus Christi, Texas, with active plans to extend into Florida. The legal entity is DesignStone LLC, privately held and governed under Pennsylvania law, with operational headquarters in San Marcos, TX, and a small core leadership team (1-10 employees including CEO Tom McEvoy, President Gil Heldenfels, and CMO Laura Hogan).
The company's core offering is its patented MPSF wall assembly, which combines light-gauge steel framing (concrete core-filled) with architectural precast concrete cladding units joined by cast-in hook connections to form a monolithic T-section bond. The modular concrete panels (approximately 590mm x 290mm x 50mm) can be manually installed without heavy lifting equipment, delivering full masonry load-carrying capability while being constructed like a light-framed building. The system supports thermal performance up to R-55 USA, removable steel formwork at flood-prone lower levels, and 6,500 PSI precast cladding in four finishes (DCK-Regular, Light, Acid Wash, Smooth) and multiple colors. Trained teams complete a wall system plus internal walls on a 2,000 sq ft home in approximately 7-9 days. The portfolio also includes a retaining wall system, four branded cladding sub-products, and eight purchasable home designs ranging from 466 sq ft to nearly 5,000 sq ft, sold under restricted license for use with the DesignStone system.
DesignStone operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce for house plans, direct enterprise field sales for structural building system packages (50% deposit, balance on completion), and a certified professional network of architects, engineers, builders, and GCs. Revenue streams include one-time house plan licenses ($125-$1,100), hardware sales of complete wall system packages and cladding products, referral-based professional services, and an explicit 'Investment Interests' stream. Manufacturing is outsourced to strategic partners: Heldenfels Enterprises (PCI-accredited, San Marcos and Corpus Christi) for structural components and D.C. Kerckhoff Company (Naples, FL) for architectural cladding shipped nationwide. Customers include Gulf Coast homeowners seeking disaster-resilient construction, framing and masonry contractors, architects and engineers, property developers, and light commercial clients in hurricane, wildfire, and flood-exposed geographies.
DesignStone firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DesignStone
- Legal name
- DesignStone LLC
- Website
- https://designstone.build
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DesignStone is a specialist resilient building systems company that sells patented hybrid wall assemblies, precast concrete cladding, and home designs to Gulf Coast residential and light commercial markets via a certified partner network across the US and Australia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DesignStone industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Resilient Building Materials
- NAICS
- Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322)
- SIC
- Fabricated Structural Metal Products (3440)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cold-Formed Steel Framing & Studs (IMADACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Masonry Prefabricated Elements (Panels, Lintels, Sills) (IMADABAM)
Keywords
Where DesignStone is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Marcos
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
DesignStone business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Home Design Plans Sales: Sale of architectural house plans via restricted licensing agreement. Plans range from $125 to $1,100 depending on design size and complexity. Plans can be purchased immediately from the online shop and used to construct one home via non-exclusive, non-transferable license.
- Structural Building System Packages: Sale of the complete DesignStone Resilient Wall System including structural components, architectural concrete cladding, thermal, weatherization, and hardware/fixings. Includes structural engineering, shop drawings, project guidance, and training.
- Cladding Products: Precast concrete cladding units sold for use with the DesignStone system or other building systems. Available in multiple finishes, colors, and textures. Manufacturing through D.C. Kerckhoff Company.
- Professional Services Referrals: Referral and coordination services connecting customers with affiliate architects, engineers, and builders. Services include preliminary project management, design modifications, and project management support.
- Investment Interests: The company appears to be seeking investor interest for expansion, particularly in the US market.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Small Home Designs (200-1,200 sq ft) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Medium Home Designs (1,001-2,000 sq ft) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Large Home Designs (2,001-5,000+ sq ft) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Structural Building System Package |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
DesignStone product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DesignStone manufactures and distributes a hybrid resilient wall system that combines light-gauge steel framing with architectural precast concrete cladding, using a patented cast-in hook connection to deliver hurricane-, fire-, and flood-resistant buildings for residential and light commercial construction. The company also sells precast cladding products in multiple finishes, a retaining system, licensed residential house plans, and coordinates affiliate architectural, engineering, and construction services through a certified professional network.
Product overview
DesignStone is a specialist resilient building systems company offering a portfolio of structural and cladding products. The core product is the Structural/Architectural Cladding Building System combining light gauge steel framework with precast concrete cladding units. Supporting products include the Structural/Architectural Cladding Retaining System for landscaping applications. Four cladding product lines are offered: DCK-Regular, DCK-Acid Wash, DCK-Light, and DCK-Smooth finishes in various colors and textures. The company also provides eight purchasable home designs (Yellowstar, Bluestar, Lantana, Bluebonnet, Verbena, Marigold, Waterleaf, and Buttonbush) sold via restricted license agreements. Professional services include an Architect and Engineer Network and a Building Services Network of certified contractors. The system has been used in Australia for over 50 years and is now available in the United States for Gulf Coast residential and commercial markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Structural/Architectural Cladding Building System DesignStone's flagship resilient wall assembly that combines light-gauge steel framework with architectural precast concrete cladding units, providing hurricane, fire, and flood resistant construction for residential and light commercial buildings. Sold as a complete structural package including structural engineering, shop drawings, project guidance, and training.
- Structural/Architectural Cladding Retaining System Modular retaining wall system that integrates with the primary DesignStone wall assembly, using removable reusable metal formwork and precast cladding units to provide a seamless structural and aesthetic appearance for landscape and site applications.
- DCK-Regular Architectural Cladding Architectural precast concrete cladding with a regular/standard finish at 6,500 PSI design strength, available in multiple colors including Italia, Grey Granite, Old San Juan, and others, for use with the DesignStone system or other compatible wall assemblies.
- DCK-Acid Wash Architectural Cladding Architectural precast concrete cladding with an acid-wash exposed-aggregate finish at 6,500 PSI design strength, available in multiple color options including Aruba, Brick, Charcoal, and Miami for the DesignStone wall system or compatible assemblies.
- DCK-Light Architectural Cladding Architectural precast concrete cladding with a light finish texture at 6,500 PSI design strength, available in colors including Steel, Italia, Golden Yellow, Grey Granite, and Antique Gold, for use with the DesignStone system or compatible buildings.
- DCK-Smooth Architectural Cladding Architectural precast concrete cladding with a smooth finish at 6,500 PSI design strength, featuring a clean modern appearance in colors including White, 5-Points Grey, Elco, and Marco for the DesignStone system or compatible buildings.
- DesignStone Home Design Plans (Licensed House Plans) Catalog of residential house designs ranging from 466 to 4,997 sq ft (Yellowstar, Bluestar, Lantana, Verbena, Marigold, Buttonbush, Waterleaf, Bluebonnet), sold under a restricted, non-exclusive, non-transferable license for use with DesignStone building systems. Plans are available for immediate purchase online at $125-$1,100 depending on size and complexity.
- Architect and Engineer Network (Affiliate Services) Affiliate network of certified architects and structural engineers providing architectural design, structural engineering, and house plan modifications for DesignStone projects, including partners TDI Engineering (Austin, TX), Katus Design Group (Austin, TX), and Daniela Capricho Architecture (DFW, TX).
- Building Services Network (Affiliate Construction Services) Affiliate network of certified builders and general contractors providing turnkey home building, installation, and project management services for DesignStone projects, including partners Gold Home Custom Remodeling (Celina, TX), GI Construction Management (Prosper, TX), and D.A. Burke Builders (WA, licensed distributor for Western Australia).
Quantifiable outcome
- 50+ years of proven performance in harsh climates
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use DesignStone
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DesignStone technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
DesignStone partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc.coreDesignStone's PCI accredited Texas manufacturing and strategic partner with production facilities located in San Marcos and Corpus Christi. Produces structural components for the DesignStone wall system.
- D.C. Kerckhoff CompanycoreLocated in Naples, Florida, D.C. Kerckhoff Company has been a leader in cast stone concrete products since 1972. Produces DesignStone architectural concrete cladding with Regular, Light, Acid Wash, and Smooth finishes. Available nationwide with shipping from Florida.
- Clark Dietrich Building Systems LLCsupportingNational manufacturer of construction materials providing cold-formed steel framing components. Focuses on complete building solutions for the construction marketplace.
- Built Environments Inc.supportingBuilding science partner providing expertise in building science consulting and performance testing.
- D.A. Burke BuilderscoreLicensed distributors for Western Australia. D.A. Burke Builders has constructed award-winning DesignStone projects including the 2015 HIA Northwest Housing Awards winners (DS1091) and 2016 Innovation in Housing Project of the Year (DS1132).
- Gold Home Custom RemodelingsupportingBuilder partner located in Celina, TX 75009 providing construction services for DesignStone projects in Texas.
- GI Construction ManagementsupportingConstruction management firm in Prosper, TX providing project management and construction services. Contact: Dustin Pendergrass (combat veteran business owner).
- TDI EngineeringcoreStructural engineering partner located in Austin, TX providing structural engineering services for DesignStone projects.
- Katus Design GroupcoreArchitecture firm in Austin, TX (7500 Rialto Blvd, Building #1 - Suite 250). Firm Reg No. BR 1792. Provides architectural design and modifications to DesignStone house plans.
- Daniela Capricho ArchitecturecoreArchitectural partner based in DFW, Texas with 3 years experience designing DesignStone homes and 19 years managing construction and remodelling projects in Brazil.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
DesignStone competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ClarkDietrich Building Systems: National manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing and construction products used in residential and commercial buildings. DesignStone's named partner for steel framing components; competes in the same light-gauge steel framing category that underpins DesignStone's MPSF system.
- Fox Blocks (Fox Industries): ICF wall system manufacturer serving residential and commercial markets with disaster-resilient, energy-efficient concrete walls. Competes in the same resilient-construction category as DesignStone, primarily for owners seeking hurricane-, fire-, and flood-resistant assemblies.
- BuildBlock Building Systems: ICF manufacturer producing insulating concrete forms for below- and above-grade walls in residential, commercial, and disaster-resilient construction. Direct competitor in the alternative resilient wall-assembly category, with overlapping value proposition on storm, fire, and energy performance.
- Nudura (Boral): Manufacturer of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) used in residential and light commercial wall construction. Directly comparable to DesignStone as an alternative wall-assembly system for disaster-resilient building, though using foam-block forms rather than light-gauge steel + precast concrete.
Broad incumbents
- Quikrete Companies: Large US manufacturer of packaged concrete, masonry, and building products sold through retail and trade channels. Broader incumbent that overlaps with DesignStone on the concrete building materials side, though distributed through a fundamentally different retail/wholesale model.
- Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope (CRH): CRH subsidiary supplying architectural glass, metal framing, and building envelope systems across North America. A broad incumbent that overlaps with DesignStone's metal framing and architectural cladding product categories at a much larger scale.
- Tindall Corporation: Large US precast/prestressed concrete manufacturer serving commercial, industrial, and infrastructure markets. A broader incumbent offering precast wall panels and structural components that overlap with DesignStone's cladding and structural product lines.
- High Concrete Group: One of the top five precast concrete manufacturers in North America, producing architectural and structural precast for parking structures, commercial buildings, and residential projects. DesignStone CEO Tom McEvoy was formerly President of High Concrete, making it a closely related peer and former employer relationship.
Others
- Heldenfels Enterprises: PCI-accredited Texas-based precast concrete manufacturer with facilities in San Marcos and Corpus Christi. Acts as DesignStone's primary US manufacturing partner for structural components, making it both a critical supplier and a directly comparable precast producer.
Emerging players
- LiteForm Technologies: ICF and concrete wall system manufacturer serving residential and light commercial markets. Comparable emerging player focused on insulated concrete wall assemblies, with overlapping application in energy-efficient and disaster-resilient construction.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DesignStone social profiles
Digital presenceDesignStone financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DesignStone leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
DesignStone funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DesignStone M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DesignStone
What does DesignStone do?
DesignStone manufactures and distributes a hybrid resilient wall system that combines light-gauge steel framing with architectural precast concrete cladding, using a patented cast-in hook connection to deliver hurricane-, fire-, and flood-resistant buildings for residential and light commercial construction. The company also sells precast cladding products in multiple finishes, a retaining system, licensed residential house plans, and coordinates affiliate architectural, engineering, and construction services through a certified professional network.
Is DesignStone a public or private company?
DesignStone is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DesignStone founded?
DesignStone was founded in 1974. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DesignStone based?
DesignStone is headquartered in San Marcos, United States, in the North America region.
How does DesignStone make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Home Design Plans Sales are the primary driver. The others are structural Building System Packages, cladding Products, professional Services Referrals and investment Interests.
Who are DesignStone's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ClarkDietrich Building Systems, Fox Blocks (Fox Industries), BuildBlock Building Systems and Nudura (Boral). Broad incumbents are Quikrete Companies, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope (CRH), Tindall Corporation and High Concrete Group. Heldenfels Enterprises is listed as an others. LiteForm Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does DesignStone have an API?
No public API is recorded for DesignStone.
What industry is DesignStone in?
DesignStone's product category is Resilient Building Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADACAF, Cold-Formed Steel Framing & Studs, with a secondary code of IMADABAM, Masonry Prefabricated Elements (Panels, Lintels, Sills). Its NAICS code is 332322 and its SIC code is 3440.