framework for the implementation of a virtual design studio model in ...

6.3.1 The First Proposed VDS Model
Maher et al, 278 classified metaphors about the VDS as Desktop
metaphor and Place metaphor. The desktop metaphor refers to the use
of collaborative tools as if they were lying on a working desk in a
physical office. On the desktop, and nearby, a designer finds tools for
drawing (e.g., pencils, rulers), communicating (e.g., telephone),
archiving (e.g., folders, filing cabinets), organising (e.g., diary), finding
information (e.g., catalogues, archives), and so on. In general, the
designer has access to all the office resources necessary to perform the
design task. On the electronic desktop – which is based on a metaphor
of the physical one – all the functions are present on the same interface,
in this case, visible on the computer screen.
This approach is the most common and is presented as the “toolkit
approach” by Kvan. 279 When adopting the place metaphor, preparing a
virtual design studio is much like designing a physical studio. 280 The
studio is set up to facilitate and support collaborative design activities. A
virtual design studio differs from the physical design studio in a
significant way: where a virtual studio can automatically react to
people‟s use and presence, a physical studio is passive and is changed
only when people physically change it. As the international best practice
investigation resulted in the choice of two models 281 , Maher‟s model was
modified according to the UAE‟s characteristics and then proposed as
the first attempt in this research.
278
Maher, L. M., Simoff S. J & Cicognani (2000). Understanding Virtual Design Studio. London: Springer.
279
Kvan, T. (2001). Op.cit. p345-353.
280
Maher, L. M., Simoff S. J & Cicognani (2000). op.cit. p13.
281
Al-Ali, A., Sharma, P. (2009) ‘Creativity and collaboration in architecture education in the United Arab
Emirates’, Digitizing Architecture Formalization & Content, Bahrain: Bentley. p245-256.
125