Designing Virtual Architecture
for Collaboration
Mary Lou Maher
March 2002
Principles of Architecture in
Designing Cyberspace
Spatial Enclosure
Spatial 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 creating
Boundaries
Place
Awareness of others
Determine 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 form
No 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
Topology
Dimensions:
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 Campus
Implemented 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 Area
Providing
Information &
Security
Devices
Virtual Office
 Communication
Area
 Storing
Communication
Tools
Virtual Office
Glass Lift
Spatial Center
Teleporting
between
Ground Floor &
First Floor
Virtual Office
Working Area
Providing 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