The Virtual Design Studio incorporates the on-going VDS research project for staff, and the annual VDS design project for students and tutors. The research project investigates the combination of contemporary computer-aided design (CAD), computer networks (Internet), and computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) techniques to bring together architectural design students from different parts of the globe to work in a virtual atelier. The purpose of the research is to explore and refine the tools and technologies which will help the students to understand their own culture, social values, and design methods by exposing them in real-time (minus network delays) to similar students with different backgrounds in other countries.