More and more families living in urban and suburban setups across California are slowly turning their single-family homes into lots with two dwelling units thanks to secondary suits (ADUs).

Architects Jefferson Schierbeek and Su Addison transformed a rundown LA garage into a new structure with the same footprint: a new garage sits at the bottom and a 300 sqft (28 m2) Studio apartment on top. They rent it to entrepreneur Adam Medford.

Adam Mefford was sharing a tiny LA studio apartment with roommates when his friends offered him a converted garage apartment at a reduced rent in exchange for dog-sitting their two boxers. In the future, the owners think, the Studio ADU could also provide autonomy to their two adult sons when they visit.

The backyard home opens onto an alley, so Adam has his own entrance and shares the yard with the couple, something they all see as a benefit in a city that doesn’t always foster community.

The ADU is compact, but the tall ceilings, strategic windows, and clever storage make it feel much larger. While Adam’s kitchen is limited to a cooktop and mini-fridge, the shared backyard—including a picnic table and barbecue—quickly became an extension of his living area.