Lean-Three Home by The Ranch Mine: Modern Mountain Living in Durango, Colorado

Nestled in the stunning landscape of Durango, Colorado, the Lean-Three Home by The Ranch Mine is a masterclass in modern rustic architecture. Designed by Colorado-based architect Cavin Costello, the residence draws inspiration from the simplicity and practicality of traditional lean-to structures, reimagined as three distinct volumes that merge comfort, functionality, and a strong connection to nature.

Thoughtful Design for an Active Lifestyle

The clients, avid outdoors enthusiasts with a passion for cycling and gourmet cooking, inspired a design that celebrates both adventure and refined living. The home's layout is divided into three main volumes:

• Garage & Bike Workshop: A spacious area for storing and maintaining biking equipment.
• Great Room: A central hub for relaxation and entertainment, featuring large windows framing the surrounding mountain vistas.
• Bedrooms: Private retreats designed for comfort and unobstructed views of the landscape.

Connecting these primary spaces are carefully designed smaller volumes that include a welcoming entry, mudroom, and a large wine room, offering dedicated space to showcase and enjoy an impressive wine collection.

Outdoor Living & Culinary Experience

The back patio is a standout feature, perfectly tailored for culinary enthusiasts. Equipped with a pizza oven, smoker, outdoor fireplace, and a covered dining area, it creates an inviting space to gather, cook, and share meals with family and friends while soaking in the natural surroundings.

Harmonious Integration with Nature

The home’s architecture subtly ascends with the natural terrain, creating a seamless dialogue between built and natural environments. Sloping shed roofs are angled to maximize mountain views from the great room and primary bedroom, while efficiently directing snow melt and rainwater toward a pond below.

The exterior material palette combines warm tongue-and-groove siding from Delta Millworks, sleek metal accents, and a stacked stone base that anchors the home to the landscape. This approach merges modern architectural elegance with a rustic, mountain-inspired aesthetic, ensuring the home feels both contemporary and deeply connected to its environment.

• 2,688 ft² of thoughtfully designed living space
• Garage and dedicated bike workshop for cycling enthusiasts
• Spacious great room with panoramic mountain views
• Outdoor culinary amenities including pizza oven, smoker, and fireplace
• Wine room for storage and tasting
• Sustainable site integration with snow and rain management
• Materials: Delta Millworks siding, Sierra Pacific Windows, metal accents, and stacked stone

The Lean-Three Home demonstrates how architecture can support an active, outdoor lifestyle while offering luxurious, functional spaces that celebrate the beauty of Durango’s mountainous landscape.

All photographs are works of Dan Ryan Studio