Abstract
Digital structures as well as time can be described as crucial material affordances of the virtual design studio space. We question the notion that digital spaces are inherently immaterial and intangible. We challenge the concept of presence and flexibility in the context of the virtual space, and claim that digital infrastructures can be as materially inflexible as physical worlds. Simultaneously we argue for the potential of understanding virtual spaces beyond binary conceptions of presence/absence. We use concepts of practice and materiality to analyse virtual spaces as distributed spatiotemporal structures that can be designed to afford flexibility. We are interested in the design of spatiotemporal spaces that on the one hand provide flexible learning environments and that teach on the other hand this understanding of materiality of virtual structures to its participants.
Keywords
digital, physical, hybrid, flexibility, work
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs_lxd2021.08.214
Citation
Neubauer, R.,and Wecht, C.(2021) Materiality of space and time in the virtual design studio, in Bohemia, E., Nielsen, L.M., Pan, L., Börekçi, N.A.G.Z., Zhang, Y. (eds.), Learn X Design 2021: Engaging with challenges in design education, 24-26 September, Shandong University of Art & Design, Jinan, China. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs_lxd2021.08.214
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Research Paper
Included in
Materiality of space and time in the virtual design studio
Digital structures as well as time can be described as crucial material affordances of the virtual design studio space. We question the notion that digital spaces are inherently immaterial and intangible. We challenge the concept of presence and flexibility in the context of the virtual space, and claim that digital infrastructures can be as materially inflexible as physical worlds. Simultaneously we argue for the potential of understanding virtual spaces beyond binary conceptions of presence/absence. We use concepts of practice and materiality to analyse virtual spaces as distributed spatiotemporal structures that can be designed to afford flexibility. We are interested in the design of spatiotemporal spaces that on the one hand provide flexible learning environments and that teach on the other hand this understanding of materiality of virtual structures to its participants.