Abstract
The rapid development of information technology has much influence on architectural design. Collaboration beyond time and space has been possible by networking the work environment and digital products. Thus, the virtual design studio on architectural design is getting more important than ever before. This research investigates a virtual design studio methodology for effective collaboration. The building design process and the communication model are studied and possible modes of design collaboration are defined. This paper proposes an internet-based Virtual Reality(VR) communication tool as well as new design methodology that we call the 'Hybrid Design Methodology'. We expect that this design methodology will dramatically increase design feedbacks, and thus results in better design alternatives. There are two issues involved in developing the collaborative virtual design studio: 1) an intuitive interface that presents collaborative relations, and 2) three-dimensional computer-mediated communication tool using sketch as a modeling method. Further research issues identified at the end of the research include developing algorithms that translate mapping images to polygons for the drafting phase in the design process.
