CAAD Futures 2011 : Designing Together, ULg, 2011 © P. Leclercq, A. Heylighen and G. Martin (eds) 41 Shared Space at a Distance : A Model of Integrated Shared Space for Supporting Informal Interaction at a Distance NGUYEN Thi Lan Truc and TAN Beng-Kiang Department of Architecture, School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, Singapore g0800518@nus.edu.sg, akitanbk@nus.edu.sg Abstract. Informal interaction among team members is an important factor in collaborative work. This paper discusses the issue of how the notion of shared space is used to support informal interaction at a distance. We reviewed existing shared space examples, examined how they support informal interaction and identified critical issues that emerged from the characteristics of shared space technologies which do not fully support the nature of informal interaction. We then propose a model of integrated shared space (ISS) whose main objective is to address these issues and support collaborative work at a distance through a shared space for natural informal interaction. 1. Introduction With the advent of internet network and communication technologies, team members who are geographically distributed are able to collaboratively work over physical distance in a variety ways such as using instant messages, telephone, email and video conferencing. These tools are useful in conducting and facilitating conversations, however, as reported by Kraut et al. [1] and Mackay [2], communication supported by these tools is less frequent, sometimes delayed in sending and receiving messages and more effortful than in face-to-face conversations. More importantly, team members could not benefit from informal communication from which creative ideas spring [3]. Basically, informal interaction often occur when people are co-located or being in a shared environment in which the spatial and temporal factors provide opportunities for people to encounter each other thus foster them to come into contact and communicate. So far, researchers have developed a variety ways to enable