69: Cavin Costello

When we last put the spotlight on 100 creative forces in Phoenix, it was no secret there were more than 100 individuals who were making waves in the local arts community. So as we count down to our annual Best of Phoenix issue, we're profiling 100 more. Welcome (back) to 100 Creatives

Cavin Costello is co-founder of the The Ranch Mine, a redesign and redevelopment firm that's dedicated to the long term improvement of the urban cores of greater Phoenix.

He started the firm with his girlfriend Claire Aton after graduating with a masters in architecture from Northeastern University, driving from the East Coast to Phoenix to find a job (yes, in the recession), and quickly figuring out he'd rather take on his own projects.

Costello says he was inspired by his professor, Michael LeBlanc, and the work his former colleagues Will Bruder, Wendell Burnette, Rick Joy, and Jack Debartolo III were doing in Phoenix. He and Aton just finished redesigning and redeveloping the first-ever Phoenix Green Construction Code project, The Castaway House.

I came to Phoenix with... A dream of helping develop Phoenix into a world class 21st century city.

I make art because... Art can be the difference between a place you have to be and a place you want to be.

I'm most productive when... I am on the jobsite with my partner, Claire. We spend hours exploring the uniqueness of each house, choreographing the redesign by simulating how people will live there throughout each day.

My inspiration wall is full of... Architecture/Urban Planning books and photos of my family. The books give me inspiration for what to do, and the photos remind me why I do it. One of my all-time favorite books that is always out is "Case Study Houses" by Elizabeth Smith and Peter Gossel. I also am also currently very inspired by the work of Jonathan Segal.

I've learned the most from... Jumping in the deep end and conversing and collaborating with people who are passionate about what they do.

Good work should always... Inspire great work.

The Phoenix creative scene could use ... more affordable collaborative working spaces that focus on and interact with their community.

The Creatives, so far ... (And while you're here, check out 100 Tastemakers on Chow Bella.)

100:Lara Plecas 99. Isaac Caruso 98. Brandon Gore 97. Kelsey Dake 96. Hector Ruiz 95. Caroline Battle 94: Jennifer Campbell 93. Jeff Chabot 92. Tiffiney Yazzie 91. Daniel Germani 90. Irma Sanchez 89. Daniel m. Davis 88. Kirstin Van Cleef 87. Emmett Potter 86. Sarah Hurwitz 85. Christine Cassano 84. Fred Tieken 83. Lindsay Kinkade 82. Ruben Galicia 81. Robert Uribe 80. Heidi Abrahamson 79. Josephine Davis 78. Travis Ladue 77. Taz Loomans 76. Mikey Jackson 75. Alex Empty 74. Joe Ray 73. Carol Roque 72. Daniel Funkhouser 71. Carla Chavarria 70. Hugo Medina