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).

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.

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.

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.

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

"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."

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.

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

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

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 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.