![Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-15.jpg)
Switch by Yuko Shibata
Japanese designer Yuko Shibata created separate living and working areas in this Tokyo apartment by installing two mobile walls.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-6.jpg)
Called Switch, the project features one partition that slides out over the dining table to create a meeting room on one side and library on the other.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-10.jpg)
The second bookcase pivots round at the end of the day to reveal a bedroom.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-2.jpg)
Photographs are by Ryohei Hamda.
Here are some more details from Shibata:
SWITCH
This is the interior design of a single home office.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-3.jpg)
This room was previously used as a residential space.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-14.jpg)
It was the owner’ s intent that the floor plan could be changed to completely separate the living and office sections.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-5.jpg)
This request was rendered impossible, due to the original structure being of box frame type reinforced concrete construction, with almost all walls acting as supporting building frames.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-4.jpg)
The addition of two bookshelves, each with a large door, allowed us to create a space with the ability to adapt from home to office or from office to home, while leaving the original floor plan intact.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-7.jpg)
The first bookshelf was added to the meeting room. By moving the large door, the meeting space can be divided in two.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-9.jpg)
The space on the side of the bookshelf becomes a library. The large door also includes an opening in order to allow it to pass over the dining table.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-8.jpg)
In this way, the table is shared between the library and meeting spaces.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-12.gif)
The second addition was in the bed room.The opening in the bookshelf creates a passage making it possible to approach the shelf from the office, without passing through the bedroom.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-13.gif)
When the door is opened, it creates a partition between the the bedroom and study, and also has the effect of changing the space to a library.
![Switch by Yuko Shibata Switch by Yuko Shibata](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/10/dzn_Switch-by-Yuko-Shibata-11.gif)
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Principal Use: home and office
Category: Renovation
See also:
.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Interior Living Unit by Andrew Kline |
Les FLKS by Kapteinbolt |
REK bookcase by Reinier de Jong |