High on a Wellington, New Zealand ridgeline, architect Micah Rickards transformed a friend’s crumbling garage into a flexible, light-filled home for him and his partner Ivan. Organised vertically, the home spans three levels on a footprint of just 22sqm/237sqft. The ground floor doubles as Ivan’s hair salon, a guest room, and a flexible studio space, with curtains instead of walls. Above, a compact bedroom and bathroom are designed with efficiency in mind, including a laundry chute and a shower that doubles as a utility space. At the top, an open kitchen, living, and dining area featured integrated joinery, under-bench appliances, and a built-in daybed. A skylight draws winter sun deep into the home, while sliding doors connect to a small deck and bridge, linking the house directly to friends and neighbours.