Mixed Reality Architecture

Mixed Reality Architecture embeds an always-on communication infrastructure across a shared virtual environment into everyday office environments. Each connected office is represented as an office avatar in the shared world. By moving virtual offices in relation to each other, office inhabitants control who they see and who they hear. When two or more offices are close to each other, the automatic audio and video channels allow for spontaneous and planned communication.

Mixed Reality Architecture was trialled long-term across multiple sites. Its effect was to connect remote spaces in a way that resembled sharing an open-plan office. Awareness between disparate colleagues was supported as were casual catchups and planned meetings.

Developed during my part-time PhD at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London under the supervision of Alan Penn and Philip Steadman. Working with Steve Benford, Chris Greenhalgh and Boriana Koleva.

Part-funded by the EPSRC Equator Interdisciplinary Research Centre.

Associated Publications:

Schnädelbach, H., Hybrid Spatial Topologies, Journal of Space Syntax (JOSS), Vol 3, No 2, 2012

Schnädelbach, H. Galani, A. and Flintham, M., Embedded Mixed Reality Environments, in Dubois, E., Gray, P. and Nigay L., The Engineering of Mixed Reality Systems, Springer, London, 2010, pp.57-78

Schnädelbach, H.,  Visibility in Architecture Extended through Audiovisual Communication Technologies, in proceedings of Space Syntax Symposium 2009, Stockholm, Sweden

Schnädelbach, H., Penn, A., and Steadman, P., Mixed Reality Architecture: A Dynamic Architectural Topology, proceedings of Space Syntax Symposium 2007, Istanbul, Turkey

Schnädelbach, H, Penn, A.,  Steadman, P., Benford, S., Koleva, B., Rodden, T., Moving Office: Inhabiting a Dynamic Building, proceedings of CSCW 2006 conference, Banff, Canada, pp.313.322, ACM Press