Our Name
We are often asked how we came up with our company name, The Ranch Mine. Before we formed our company back in 2010, we spent 7 months traveling around Arizona, exploring the rich history of our state in search of what was authentically Arizonan. During these trips, a common thread started to emerge: the pioneer spirit. Everywhere we went we heard stories and saw manifestations of the driven, impassioned people in search of a better life. This spirit is still alive and well today. We chose our name to honor those that have come before us, the humble ranchers and miners, who have paved the way for our opportunities for prosperity today, and to serve as inspiration to design spaces that afford us the opportunity to imagine what’s beyond what we see in the present so we can strive for new experiences.
Our Story
In 2009, Cavin Costello received his Masters degree in Architecture and made the drive to Phoenix, Arizona sight unseen, inspired by the complexities and opportunities to be had in the rapidly urbanizing southwest. He had not yet been a full day in Phoenix when he met Claire, a Phoenix native looking to make the most of her recent move back home. The two quickly bonded over their ideals of the built environment, how to improve upon it and its ability to influence. Not settling for a hard hit economy to dictate their next move, the duo decided to act. So, they bought a fixer upper and experienced first hand the trials and tribulations of a major renovation.
The two continued paving their own path developing the First Phoenix Green Construction Code project, designing for visionary real estate developers, and creating inspired homes for unique homeowners. Cavin and Claire have continued to push the envelope in designing for the pioneer spirit which has won them a 2015 National American Institute of Architects contest that named them the “Future of Architecture”, landed them features on the NBC Today Show and with HGTV, and had their worked published in numerous publications such as the book ‘150 Best of the Best House Ideas’, Architectural Record, Dwell Magazine, Atomic Ranch Magazine, Luxe Magazine, and popular websites such as Design Milk, Arch Daily, and Dezeen to name a few.
Our Team
Cavin Costello, Principal Architect
Cavin Costello is the son of a civil engineer who endeavored to build his own house in rural Connecticut. It is safe to say that this exposure to building systems mixed with a “go get ’em” attitude laid the foundation for Cavin’s bright future. Cavin pursued his childhood passion at Northeastern University in Boston from which he received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture degree. His enthusiasm for adventure lead him to Phoenix, Arizona where he is a Registered Architect and has become a local leader in the modern architecture community. To date, Cavin has designed over 100 projects in his ten years in the Valley, has won national and local awards, including “The Future of Architecture” by the American Institute of Architects and Houzz in 2015, and has been honored as a featured speaker at numerous around Arizona.
Claire Costello, Chief Executive
Claire Costello is a native Phoenician who received unique exposure to rambling ranches, mid-century modern and desert architecture. Claire was young when she was asked to pick up a shovel and do some dirty work at her aunt and uncles in Tucson. This “dirty work” was digging dirt to build the first rammed earth house Claire had ever known of. Leaving the desert behind, Claire ventured to the University of Colorado at Boulder where she received concurrent Bachelor of Science degrees in English and Communication. Her time away from Arizona led Claire to travel the world, fueling a desire to make real change and igniting a belief in the power of action. Upon returning to her hometown, Claire sought to make a familiar place new, exciting and her own. Emboldened with an entrepreneurial spirit Claire is committed to reclaiming her hometown of Phoenix one home at a time. Today, Claire embraces a hands-on approach to design and development and works toward shaping a more vibrant community.
National Awards & Honors
Designer of the Year Finalist, HGTV – 2019
Radar: 10 Talented Architects Leading the Way, Luxe Magazine – 2018
Top 10 US Houses of 2017, Dezeen – 2017
Top 20 Homes of 2017, Dwell Magazine – 2017
2017 Building of the Year Finalist (United States), American-Architects – 2017
The Future of Architecture: Innovation, American Institute of Architects and Houzz – 2015
Designer of the Week, HGTV – 2015
Green Remodel of the Year: National Award-Winner, National Association of Home Builders – 2012
Best Homes Across the Country under $250,000, NBC Today Show – 2012
Local Awards & Honors
40 under 40 Inaugural Class, Phoenix Magazine – 2018
The Best Residential Architects in Phoenix: #1, Phoenix Architects – 2018
Best of Houzz: Design, Houzz – 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Big Brain Award Finalist: Design, Phoenix New Times – 2015
35 top Entrepreneurs under 35 , The Arizona Republic – 2013
Best Emerging Creative Duo, Phoenix New Times – 2013
Top 100 Creatives, Phoenix New Times – 2012
Public Speaking Engagements
Taliesin Next: Design in the Desert – 2019
AIA Western Mountain Region Conference – 2018
Modern Phoenix Week – 2018
PHX Architecture Forum – 2017
Arizona Historic Preservation Conference – 2017
American Institute of Architects Arizona Associate Conference – 2017
Arizona Historic Preservation Conference – 2016
Design Within Reach, Design Days – 2016
Arizona Historic Preservation Conference – 2015
Phoenix Urban Design Week – 2015
Modern Phoenix Week – 2014
AIGA PechaKucha: Design for Good – 2014
Arizona Historic Preservation Conference – 2014
Reinvent Phoenix – 2014
Modern Phoenix Week – 2013
Arizona Historic Preservation Conference – 2013
TEDx Phoenix – 2013
Arizona State University School of Urban Planning – 2012
Retrofitting Sprawl Symposium – 2012
Northeastern University School of Architecture – 2012