THE DNA OF DESIGN WORK: PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL MATERIALITY IN PROJECT-BASED DESIGN ORGANIZATIONS *

We review the work on virtuality and virtual organizing to develop a framework describing six modes of virtuality in project-based design organizations. These modes of virtuality involve various combinations of digital and physical materiality in both co-located and remote settings. Then we generate propositions regarding the “intertwining” of different modes of virtuality in settings of varying levels of centralization and turbulence, and we conclude by suggesting a novel application of sequence analysis that would enable us to explore patterns of virtuality in design processes – to gain insight into the “design DNA” of these innovative contexts.