Dezeen Magazine

Nendo's modular office tables create "casual spaces for standing conversation"

Japanese design studio Nendo has created a series of modular desk units for office furniture and supplies brand Kokuyo to complement its existing Brackets sofa (+ slideshow).

Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

Nendo originally designed the Brackets sofa for Japanese company Kokuyo last year, with each module featuring a tall backrest to provide privacy and dampen surrounding noise.

Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

It has now launched Brackets-lite, a collection of seven small tables all with a uniform table height of 100 centimetres. Each piece also has a slightly offset 140-centimetre-tall back panel, which is extended around two sides on some tables to create corner modules.

Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

The tables fit together to make various different arrangements, and the functionality of each piece can be modified using interchangeable bases. A bookshelf-style base can also be flipped to act as a magazine rack.

Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

The pieces can be combined with the original Brackets sofa elements, which have the same total height.

Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

"The Brackets unit sofa provides a variety of office communication spaces through different combinations of its bracket-shaped units," said Nendo. "Brackets-lite develops the concept further by creating casual spaces for standing conversation."



Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

The tops of the tables are cushioned and covered in a grey upholstery material that is also used to cover the back. Each is supported by a single metal leg that is attached to a square base for stability.

When the bookshelf base option is used, the bookshelf provides the support and the leg is removed.

Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

"The tabletops are cushioned so that users can lean against them in casual conversation," explained Nendo in a statement.

Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

"We also designed an attachable tray for writing notes or resting a coffee cup, and the back of the tray serves as a whiteboard."

Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

The clip that supports the whiteboard can be used to hold a tablet computer, with a power outlet incorporated into the back of each unit.

Brackets-lite office furniture by Nendo for Kokuyo

Brackets-lite is the second office furniture design by Nendo for Kokuyo that has launched this month. Last week, the studio unveiled a collection of matte-black pieces created by splicing together archetypal office furniture styles.