Designing Virtual Architecture for Collaboration

Mary Lou MaherMarch 2002

Principles of Architecture in Designing Cyberspace

Spatial EnclosureSpatial Function Spatial Layout

Spatial Enclosure

The sense of spatial boundaries that contain people and things can create a more coherent sense of place. These spaces do not necessarily have physical boundaries. The purpose of the enclosure is to indicate the contents of the space, that is, what is in the space and what is outside the space.

Spatial Enclosure

Form creatingBoundariesPlaceAwareness of othersDetermine basic level concepts and

associated semantic frame

Spatial Function

Architects create different kinds of spaces for different functions. In cyberspace this may be a simple as labelling a room by its function, or more complex in defining a variety of activities and purposes for a room. In designing cyberspace, we have started with the easily identified functions of architecture, but we can go beyond this.

Spatial Function

Beyond formNo function in form?New functions? Metaphorical reference to function

Spatial Layout

Architecture is non-linear. Using architectural principles in designing cyberspace has an associated non-linear topology, where navigation can follow the principles of spatial layout, or the principles of the function of the rooms. People can easily navigate among rooms and buildings without a mental map, and therefore can navigation around cyberspace without a consistent mapping to physical space.

Spatial Layout

TopologyDimensions:

3D: N, S, E, W, Up, Down 1D: In, Out ND: Functions

Time and motion

Issues in designing VA

Understanding of VA as a set of objects that have

both a 3D model, behaviour, and purpose

Visualization of place by establishing boundaries

Visualization function and purpose of place

The development of a set of interactive objects

that fulfill the needs in virtual architecture that

are not possible in physical architecture.

Consideration of the implementation of efficient

virtual architecture.

Two Design Examples

Virtual Office and Virtual Conference room

Part of our Virtual CampusImplemented in an object-oriented

environment

Object-oriented VA

The components of the world are programmable objects

Four basic classes: Room Portal Avatar Thing

Virtual Office

Bird View Glass Lift as

the Center for Spatial Organization

Virtual Office

Walls as frames for holding things

Virtual Office

Entrance AreaProviding

Information & Security Devices

Virtual Office

Communication Area

Storing Communication Tools

Virtual Office

Glass LiftSpatial CenterTeleporting

between Ground Floor & First Floor

Virtual Office

Working AreaProviding

Tools & Space for Collaborative Projects

Virtual Office

Relaxation Area

Providing Online Entertainment

Virtual Office

Storage Area

Storing Extra Digital Data & Function Tools

Conference Facilities

Walls as frames for holding things

Conference Facilities

Conference Room Entrance

Conference Facilities

Stairs to Presentation Area

Conference Facilities

Interior

Conference Facilities

Presentation Area