micah
small architecture
From awkward sites to compact homes and apartments, I bring inventive thinking and experience to the trickiest spaces.
Whether it’s a compact new build, an existing hillside home, or a basement apartment — I design beautiful, liveable spaces that make the most of what you’ve got.
awards
2025 New Zealand Architecture Award — Winner Small Project — Walker Box
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2024 Here Awards — Winner Small House — Walker Box
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2025 Local Architecture Award — Winner Resene Colour Award — Out on its Own
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2025 Local Architecture Award — Winner Housing Award — Out on its Own
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projects
walker box
converting a worthless garage
“Walker Box is a delightful defiance of the expected. Infectiously fun and deeply personal, it is a testament to the power of small ideas, lovingly realised.”
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On a tiny and tricky site, Walker Box replaces a crumbling garage with a compact, three-level tower — work and home in a 6x4m footprint.
out on its own
retiring amongst friends and family
“Our beautiful new home is testimony to Micah’s creativity, his understanding of our needs, and his ability to work seamlessly with the building team”
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Grounded in human scale and careful proportion, Out on its Own is compact in plan, yet generous in experience. The home is designed to support ageing in place, close to community.
Every project is different.
The process is tailored to the size and complexity of your project — from a free first conversation to full architectural service
how it works
Free First Meeting
A relaxed, no-charge, no-obligation conversation to explore your ideas and understand what’s possible for your project.
1
Pre-Design & Roadmap
An in-depth session to clarify your needs and create a project roadmap covering milestones, consultants, approvals, and fees.
2
Full Architectural Service
From design exploration through to consent and construction. Fully guided at every step. A complete service typically ranges between 10–15% of build cost.
3
Download your free process flow chart here to get an overview
about micah
Micah Architecture is the workspace of Micah Rickards, a registered architect focused on small-space residential design.
With hands-on experience from his own self-build project, Walker Box, Micah understands the pressures clients face during their project, not least of all working to restrained budgets achieving real-world outcomes. This grounded perspective shapes how he designs, communicates, and works alongside clients and consultants.
Smaller, challenging projects require extra attention to detail. Micah creates thoughtful, well-crafted spaces that respond carefully to their context — and to the people who live in them.
what people say
“Walker Box is a delightful defiance of the expected. Infectiously fun and deeply personal, it is a testament to the power of small ideas, lovingly realised.”
Jury citation, NZIA architecture awards 2025
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“Our beautiful new home is testimony to Micah’s creativity, his understanding of our needs, and his ability to work seamlessly with the building team”
Philippa, Westport
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“Professional and easy to work with … coming up with smart, practical solutions that protected the design without adding unnecessary expense”
JC Somers + Jason Frick, Wellington