Click the above image to view video.

 The Challenge:
The L.A. County Metro Transportation Authority wanted to  create an eye catching headquarters building using a very limited amount of space within Second Life. While most campuses can stretch across an entire island, the space to be utilized was less than 1/16 of a full island. This meant the structure had to be efficient and cleverly built to contain all of the content requested. The architectural style was to be of a sleek post modern style feel with a lot of dynamic curves and glass. There was also a need to make this a hub for all web 2.0 content of the organization as well as a executive online meeting space.

The Solution:
Designing Digitally, Inc. designed a multiroom single story structure with a flowing curved roof that visually held the structure together which was surrounded by glass and had large doorways to make the building feel more open and accessible. The lobby contained integration of the organization’s YouTube, twitter, Flickr, and Facebook accounts and a library room containing their library catalog, transit maps and other web promotional materials making this virtual space a one stop link to all facets of the organization. Near the library, a photo archive brought images off of a Flickr account into the virtual world for viewing, with many of these photos dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. The final room of the build was a collaborative meeting space with presentation material and seating to allow the management of the organization to hold virtual meetings and conferences.

The Results:
In the end, Designing Digitally, Inc. created a striking headquarters design that stands out among the neighboring plots of land. The building contains all of the assets that were planned in the limited space thanks to the ability of virtual worlds to fit vast amounts of content into a small amount of 3D space without feeling crowded. This project showcases the fact that shows even smaller scale builds can be both functional and appealing.

Visit Los Angeles Metro in Second Life: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eduisland%203/55/95/23