Virtual Rooms

Virtual Rooms was an early exploration into spatial computing, creating a web interface that allowed users to connect in spatialised environments.

Developed in 2021, the platform moved beyond traditional video and audio calls by recreating the feeling of being in the same room. Users could join and create rooms in just two clicks, then interact on a canvas of proximity.

From Flat Grids to Spatial Presence

Most online communication tools reduce interaction to flat grids of faces and voices. Virtual Rooms introduced spatial dynamics, where avatar positions shaped audio and video interactions, allowing groups to gather or disperse for both free-flowing conversations and focused discussions.

Designing the Interface of Closeness

The platform was designed to be lightweight and intuitive, with two-click room creation. It was spatially aware, augmenting video and audio through avatar placement. It was open and flexible, enabling natural patterns of gathering, dispersing, and regrouping.

Prototyping the Future of Social Space

Virtual Rooms positioned IRL at the forefront of spatial computing research. By prototyping how proximity and presence could transform online communication, it anticipated a wave of new tools that reimagine the future of digital collaboration and social space.