C. M. Herr, N. Gu, S. Roudavski, M. A. Schnabel, Circuit Bending, Breaking and Mending: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia, 589-598. ©2011, Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA), Hong Kong the social network virtual design studio Integrated design learning using blended learning environments MARC AuRel SCHNAbel 1 and jeReMy j HAM 2 1. The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, marcaurel@ cuhk.edu.hk 2 Deakin University, Geelong, Australia, jjham@deakin.edu.au abstract. Online communications, multimedia, mobile computing and face-to-face learning create blended learning environments to which some Virtual Design Studios (VDS) have reacted to. Social Networks (SN), as instruments for communication, have provided a potentially fruitful operative base for VDS. These technologies transfer commu- nication, leadership, democratic interaction, teamwork, social engage- ment and responsibility away from the design tutors to the participants. The implementation of Social Network VDS (SNVDS) moved the VDS beyond its conventional realm and enabled students to develop architectural design that is embedded into a community of learners and expertise both online and ofline. Problem-based learning (PBL) becomes an iterative and relexive process facilitating deep learning. The paper discusses details of the SNVDS, its pedagogical implications to PBL, and presents how the SNVDS is successful in enabling archi- tectural students to collaborate and communicate design proposals that integrate a variety of skills, deep learning, knowledge and construction with a rich learning experience. keywords. VDS; social networking; social learning; problem-based learning; PBL; Web2.0. 1. introduction Since the early 1990’s the Virtual Design Studio (VDS) established itself as a well-functioning learning environment that allows students in various loca- tions to engage synchronously and asynchronously in design learning. VDS have facilitated collaboration across international boundaries and helped re-