Fantoni's Hub modular desk unit acts like a "wall-less box"
Dezeen promotion: Italian brand Fantoni has collaborated with Matteo Ragni Studio to design these modular desk units that can be reconfigured depending on the working scenario (+ movie).
The units – named Hub – can be organised into a variety of layouts, including private workstations and communal desk benches.
Fantoni and Ragni worked together to design the Hub as "a space that was open and fostered sharing and an exchange of ideas, yet also a place for reflection and individual work".
Described by the designer as like a "wall-less box", each square desk has a frame that surrounds the working space like a four-poster bed.
"From the use of a simple, large, square table, the idea arose to create a 'four-poster' table where we could work, rest and feed on ideas, relations and good food; in a nutshell, experience a space," said Ragni.
According to the designer, the concept is derived from of Italian designer Bruno Munari's 1970s Abitacolo bed, which combines functions to be used during the different activities in a teenager's day.
Four people can sit around each cube-shaped workspace, which measures 160 by 160 centimetres in plan.
Upholstered panels attach to the canopy and can connect to other Hubs. The frame is available in black and white, while Hub fabrics come in a wider range of colours.
Movable screens, available in perspex or fabric, also fit onto the frame to act as dividers for more private working.
Removing the canopy enables the desks to function as meeting tables.
A sound-reducing fabric panel with dimmable LEDs can be fitted into the canopy above the workspace, and a central compartment in the tabletop stores cables.
The Hub collection expands to include a system of three self-standing partitions, which also serve as storage containers. Other accessories include coat hooks, hangers, drink holders and a perspex drawer.
The desktop comes in white, light grey or a lacquered chipboard. For more information about the Hub collection and other Fantoni products, visit the brand's website.