Abstract
Long-distance relationships often suffer from fragmented memories and emotional distance due to partners living apart. This paper explores the conceptual design of an online “Memory Space” for long-distance partners by integrating memory taxonomy and architectural boundary theory within a virtual reality context. Drawing on the art of memory and examples of physical memory-bearing spaces, the study examines how a virtual environment can contain and organize users’ personal memories to foster emotional connection across distance. Using a design inquiry approach, the paper conceptualizes a speculative VR “Memory Space” in which users can collectively store, share, and experience personal memories within a shared virtual environment. The proposed design is envisioned as a journey through themed virtual spaces, connected by meaningful thresholds and boundaries. This exploration illustrates how boundary and threshold theory and mnemonic techniques can inform the creation of digital memory environments: clear categorical structures and ordered spatial layouts may help users navigate and recall memories, while carefully designed boundary conditions enrich the experience of moving through virtual memory worlds. The paper reflects on how these conceptual strategies address questions of designing memory-containing virtual spaces, the role of boundaries, and the formation of effective memory taxonomies.
Keywords
Boundary condition; Memory space; Virtual reality; Memory taxonomy
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.809
Citation
Deng, Y., Zhou, D., Guo, W.,and Peng, Z.(2025) Boundary Conditions and Memory Taxonomy: Creating a VR Space that Contains Memories, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.809
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 3 - Design, Art & Technology
Boundary Conditions and Memory Taxonomy: Creating a VR Space that Contains Memories
Long-distance relationships often suffer from fragmented memories and emotional distance due to partners living apart. This paper explores the conceptual design of an online “Memory Space” for long-distance partners by integrating memory taxonomy and architectural boundary theory within a virtual reality context. Drawing on the art of memory and examples of physical memory-bearing spaces, the study examines how a virtual environment can contain and organize users’ personal memories to foster emotional connection across distance. Using a design inquiry approach, the paper conceptualizes a speculative VR “Memory Space” in which users can collectively store, share, and experience personal memories within a shared virtual environment. The proposed design is envisioned as a journey through themed virtual spaces, connected by meaningful thresholds and boundaries. This exploration illustrates how boundary and threshold theory and mnemonic techniques can inform the creation of digital memory environments: clear categorical structures and ordered spatial layouts may help users navigate and recall memories, while carefully designed boundary conditions enrich the experience of moving through virtual memory worlds. The paper reflects on how these conceptual strategies address questions of designing memory-containing virtual spaces, the role of boundaries, and the formation of effective memory taxonomies.