The Ranch Mine

We are often asked how we came up with our company name, The Ranch Mine. Before Claire and Cavin formed The Ranch Mine in 2010, they spent 7 months traveling around Arizona, exploring the history, culture and landscapes of the state. During these trips, a common thread started to emerge: a sense of determined optimism. Everywhere they went they heard stories and saw manifestations of the driven, impassioned people, such as ranchers and miners, who were willing to endure hardship in search of a better life. This same grit and vision is still alive and well today in many of you, and serves as inspiration for us to continue journeying into the unknown to craft original and inspiring spaces that connect you with nature and each other.

In 2009, Cavin Costello received his Master of Architecture degree and drove to Phoenix sight unseen, drawn by the possibilities of the rapidly evolving Southwest. Within his first day, he met Claire, a Phoenix native who had just moved back home. They immediately connected over a shared vision: that thoughtful design could shape how people live and relate to their surroundings. Rather than wait out the recession, they decided to act. They bought a fixer-upper and tackled a major renovation themselves, learning through direct experience what it takes to transform a space. When the project landed on the front page of the local newspaper, it put The Ranch Mine on the map and attracted the attention of adventurous homeowners and forward-thinking developers who shared their belief that architecture should connect people with nature and each other.

We are a registered architecture firm that specializes in designing single-family homes, event venues and boutique resorts that connect you with nature and each other. Our work spans desert, mountain, water, and woods environments worldwide. Each project is shaped by climate, context, and your vision. Click on your project type below to learn more about our process, specialties and expertise.

• Homes
• Event venues
• Boutique Resorts

This is the beginning of a partnership that will shape how you live, connect, and experience the world around you. Over 250 projects and 16 years, we've learned that the best homes, venues, and resorts start with listening, really listening, to what makes you tick. Whether you're building your dream home, developing properties that will become someone else's dream, or creating a destination where people gather and make memories, we want to understand your vision.

Who are you building for? What do you love? How do you want people to feel when they arrive? Share as much as you can below: your dreams, your site details, your timeline, your goals. 

The richer the story you tell us, the more powerful our first conversation will be. We can't wait to hear from you.

Vision & philosophy

In a world focused on stuff, we believe real luxury is a deeper connection to the world around us, the nature at our door and the people at our side.

Tailored to you

Every project begins with listening. We understand your wishes, then dig deeper to the roots of your needs and aspirations. Then we craft spaces that reflect and inspire your personalities, dreams, and goals.

Collaborative Process

Our work is built on collaboration. We listen closely to your needs and aspirations and work hand in hand with you through the entire process. Close communication with craftspeople, engineers, and local experts enables us to create projects that are innovative, grounded in functionality, and deeply attuned to their natural surroundings.

While our firm is open to and excited by a variety of project types and locations, the following represent our areas of expertise.

New Build Single Family Homes

We start with the site, then shape a home that listens to climate and frames the land. Circulation invites gathering, quiet rooms find refuge, materials weather with grace, and every move deepens your connection to nature. For homeowners, a precise fit for how you live. For developers, a distinctive asset with strong market pull.

Home Renovation/Additions

We reimagine existing homes to tune them to climate, light, and how you live. Plans open to landscape, circulation flows, and additions feel inevitable. For homeowners, a precise transformation that strengthens daily life, character, and long-term value.

Event Venues

We craft event venues that elevate their setting and run cleanly. Arrival, gathering, and flow are choreographed for guests, while back-of-house and service lines keep operations smooth. For owner-operators, spaces that earn attention, photograph well, and help support bookings and build brand strength.

Boutique Resorts

We design boutique resorts and short-term rental portfolios that are intimate, site-driven, and highly functional. Whether a one-of-a-kind stay, a cabin network with shared amenities, or a destination retreat, our designs earn attention and help support stronger ADR, occupancy, and brand strength.

Desert

Desert living means connecting with the raw beauty of the landscape while both embracing and escaping the sun. By studying the land and the sun, we accentuate the unique landscape while creating spaces that stay cool in summer and warm in winter.

Mountain

Mountain living is an adventure, but it comes with challenges like wildfires, extreme weather, and rugged terrain. We design homes that are a refuge from the elements, giving you a cozy, safe place to recharge. Whether you're hitting the trails or savoring the view, our designs connect you to the spirit of mountain life.

Water

Life by the water is a mix of fun and relaxation. From boating, waterskiing, paddleboarding, fishing, or sunset dinners, we design homes that make every moment count. Our spaces blur the lines between indoors and out, weaving the beauty of lakes, rivers, or oceans into your everyday life.

Woods

Being in the woods means finding peace in the rustle of leaves and the songs of birds. We create architecture that immerses you in the sights, sounds, and smells of the woods while giving you shelter from the elements.