In an effort to breathe new life into an unoccupied apartment within a Kyoto public housing complex, Tato Architects, under the guidance of Yo Shimada, spearheaded a transformative renovation. This ambitious project, part of a city-wide initiative involving eight universities, centers around a striking 3.6-meter diameter semicircular table. This impressive piece of furniture serves as the core organizing element, redefining the functionality and flow of the living space. The broader goal of this university-led collaboration is to rejuvenate vacant units in older housing developments, converting them into comfortable residences for professionals in the welfare sector.
The design effectively consolidates essential domestic functions within compact plywood modules. This strategic arrangement allows the expansive blue-green table to dominate the main living area, offering a versatile surface for a multitude of activities. Whether for dining, working, socializing, or relaxation, the table promotes a communal and adaptable living experience. Its strategic placement and substantial size fundamentally restructure the daily routines within the apartment, encouraging residents to utilize the shared space more dynamically.
Reimagining Space with a Central Feature
The original layout of the apartment, typical for a nuclear family, featured numerous walls that created a fragmented and enclosed environment. Through the removal of non-structural partitions, the space was dramatically opened up, resulting in a significantly larger area that exceeded the needs of a single occupant. The team from Yo Shimada Laboratory, composed of graduate and undergraduate students, developed diverse renovation concepts. After a comprehensive review with participating universities, one proposal was selected for implementation, which subsequently involved further detailed planning for building services, finishes, and construction drawings.
The design addresses the newly expanded interior with the introduction of a custom-built, semicircular table that transcends typical furniture dimensions. Measuring 3,600 mm in diameter, this table commands the living room, which spans over 20 square meters, creating the illusion that it extends from an adjacent room into the main living area. The room's uniform white finish accentuates the table, allowing it to function as the primary spatial anchor within the otherwise open-plan apartment. Rather than confining the table to a singular purpose, the design celebrates its role as a flexible, communal surface, encouraging a seamless blend of daily activities and promoting the use of the broader living area beyond the more confined functional zones.
Integrated Plywood Volumes and Cohesive Design
In a clever architectural counterpoint, essential utility areas such as the bedroom, kitchen, toilet, and bathroom are condensed into roughly one-third of the total floor area. These compact volumes are strategically positioned around the existing structural elements of the toilet and bathroom, which serve as fixed reference points. The design employs plywood and tile finishes for these functional spaces, mirroring the distinct blue-green hue of the central table. This creates a strong visual link and maintains a cohesive aesthetic throughout the apartment, despite the varied material applications.
By minimizing the footprint of the dedicated domestic areas, the oversized semicircular table emerges as the undisputed focal point, around which all daily activities revolve. This thoughtful arrangement allows for a fluid and unconstrained definition of spaces, blurring the traditional boundaries between dining, work, conversation, and relaxation. The integrated design fosters an adaptable living environment where functions can effortlessly overlap and transition, reflecting a modern approach to urban dwelling.