# Giant Blue-Green Semicircular Table Redefines Kyoto Apartment Tato Architects' design reshapes daily living spaces. - **Source:** [architecture archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/1e716da2-18e6-4704-96a6-818e7860b99f) - **Published:** 2026-07-22 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0f37d603-ad01-4bbb-ab35-138fd4b1843d ## Innovative Living Space Design In a municipal housing complex in Kyoto, a 3.6-meter-diameter semicircular table designed by Tato Architects became the central element of the living space. This design was developed as part of a renovation project involving eight universities. ## Compact and Functional Solutions In the existing one-room apartment, domestic functions were consolidated into compact plywood volumes. The large blue-green table extends across the living area, providing a shared surface for meals, work, conversation, and rest. ## Open and Flexible Interior The original apartment had a fragmented layout defined by multiple walls. After removing non-structural partitions, a more open space was created, feeling large relative to the needs of a single occupant. ## Student-Involved Design Process Four master's and four undergraduate students from Yo Shimada Laboratory presented eight schemes at a joint interim review involving participating universities. Following discussions, one proposal was selected for construction. ## A Table at the Heart of Daily Life The 3,600 mm-diameter semicircular table redefines the living space by exceeding conventional furniture dimensions. The table's scale encourages activities to move from smaller functional areas into the living space. ## Flexible and Multi-Purpose Use Rather than assigning a specific function, the table is designed as a large shared surface that supports different aspects of daily life. This design keeps the boundaries between dining, working, conversation, and rest flexible. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/architecture/giant-blue-green-semicircular-table-tato-architects-yo-shimada-kyoto-apartment/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._