Architectural Possibilities | Veneer Stone Homes and Beyond

CINDI MAC SWAIN: RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECT (VENEER STONE HOME PLANNING & BEYOND), POSSIBILITY THINKER, CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVER, AND NATIONAL TRAINER. SHE WAS ONE OF THE ONLY FEMALES IN HER FIELD. AND FROM DAY ONE, CINDI LET THEM KNOW SHE WASN’T THERE TO TYPE.

CINDI MAC SWAIN: VANNEY-MAC SWAIN HOME PLANNING


“Just because something is the way it is, doesn’t mean it can’t be different. There’re a lot of ways of looking at things.” She followed up by saying, “In some ways when your back is against the wall, that’s when you’re forced to be creative.”

Veneer Stone Home - Chief Architect Rendering with Chilton Stone - Buechel Stone Chilton Rustic No Reds

Cindi Mac Swain is an established residential architect and owner of Vanney – Mac Swain Home Planning. Growing up in a military family gave her a different kind of confidence – but it’s her possibility thinking that really sets her apart; whether selecting the perfect stone veneer for a home or anything else she’s tasked or determined to do.

Veneer Stone Home Chief Architect Rendering and Cindi Mac Swain - businesscard

The Early Years

When we talked with Cindi about her early years in architecture; she didn’t harbor any resentment towards her gender biased colleagues. She just laughed about how life came full circle. Like when Cindi placed second at her college’s senior design awards and the keynote speaker – the owner of a construction company – hired her on the spot. Only a few weeks earlier, the manager there had refused to look at her application. Her second job was at an architectural firm, where she soon gained the confidence to start her own business.

Full Circle

A few years ago, life came full circle once again when she accepted a nice little side job – from her first employer – training builders / dealers from all over the country on the Chief Architect software. For Cindi, it was more about the experience than the extra money. She simply said, “If you want to be proficient at something, teach it!” (Watch the video at the top of this page to see some of her veneer stone home models and renderings in Chief Architect.)

Veneer Stone Home - Chief Architect Rendering with Chilton Stone - Buechel Stone Chilton Rustic No Reds

We can learn a lot from Cindi. Whether raising a family, starting a firm, serving NAHB, training in Chief Architect, or personally working with clients; thoughtful planning is what it’s all about. In fact, we lean on those same creative problem-solving skills to showcase the beauty of nature’s unpredictabilities with an exceptional selection of Building Stone Veneers, Cut Stone, and Landscape Stone. If we can do that while providing best experiences – that’s our full circle.

Best Experiences All Around

Check out our Stone Resources page for instant access to all of the Chief Architect, CAD, BIM and stone-savvy tech and spec resources that we provide to Cindi and our fellow creators in the natural stone industry – from inspiration to installation. JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER to be notified of new TRUE STORIES announcements and find out about everything our team of Buechel Stone #Rockstars is doing to ensure a future built by your own authentic architectural stone success stories.


Video and Writing by Tracy Lisowe
Marketing Director | Buechel Stone Corp.

True Story by Buechel | Printable Download: Cindi Mac Swain – Vanney-Mac Swain Home Planning