The shift to distanced collaboration has been disruptive. Many daily interactions occur as a side effect of purposeful activities such as attending class, going to a meeting, things that we now do online. The duality of our existence between physical space and digital space creates a void where “sidebar” social interactions would normally take place. To explore this, my team and I spent 14 weeks researching, developing, and testing a new platform for collaboration. This research resulted in a framework for a virtual reality platform where users could create, work, and play in a themed digital environment. Over the course of a 14-week studio split between two projects, my team and I researched and developed a new toolkit for distanced collaboration. Project one focused on the physical space. Project two focused on researching and implementing a digital platform. This platform came to be known as OctoHubs.
The Social City
The result of Project 1 was a social city which was designed to incorporate the lessons learned about how people interact daily. Its goal is to create an environment centered around a focal point. In this case, the focal point is a theater across from the open green. The park allows for a variety experiences and implements the best practices for park spaces. Surrounding the park are shops, restaurants, and living quarters. By allowing for a mix of live, work, play uses, people will be able commute via foot or bicycle more frequently resulting in more organic interactions.
The Digital Frontier
Transitioning to the digital space, data on how things had changed due to COVID-19 was gathered. A survey was sent out to see, among other things, how people worked before and during the pandemic and how they think it will change. Based on survey responses we learned that Zoom calls and meetings have a clear-cut purpose where there is often no room or natural opportunity for conversation. It is hard to have side conversation where there is a lack of physical proximity.
Taking this and other factors into account the students designed what eventually became OctoHubs. The system is guided by 8 principles and gives users the ability to create and work in a themed space with an array of functionality. While it was initially created as a response to pandemic related issues OctoHubs has become a platform that is useful on its own merit.