Collaborating across dissimilar, distributed spaces presents numerous challenges for computer-aided spatial communication. Mixed reality (MR) can blend selected surfaces, allowing collaborators to work in blended f-formations (facing formations), even when their workstations are physically misaligned. Since collaboration often involves more than just participant pairs, this research examines how we might scale MR experiences for large-group collaboration. To do so, this study recruited collaboration designers (CDs) to evaluate and reimagine MR for large-scale collaboration. These CDs were engaged in a four-part user study that involved a technology probe, a semi-structured interview, a speculative low-fidelity prototyping activity and a validation session. The outcomes of this paper contribute (1) a set of collaboration design principles to inspire future computer-supported collaborative work, (2) eight collaboration patterns for blended f-formations and collaboration at scale and (3) theoretical implications for f-formations and space-place relationships. As a result, this work creates a blueprint for scaling collaboration across distributed spaces.

翻译：在异质、分布式空间中进行协作对计算机辅助空间通信提出了诸多挑战。混合现实（MR）技术能够融合选定表面，使协作者即使在物理工作台错位的情况下，也能在混合式面对面布局（f-formation）中开展工作。由于协作通常涉及多人而非仅成对参与者，本研究探讨了如何扩展MR体验以支持大规模群体协作。为此，我们邀请协作设计师（CDs）评估并重新构想面向大规模协作的MR应用。这些协作设计师参与了一项包含四部分的用户研究：技术探测、半结构化访谈、推测性低保真原型设计活动以及验证会议。本文的研究成果包括：（1）一组协作设计原则，用以启发未来的计算机支持的协同工作；（2）八种针对混合式面对面布局及大规模协作的协作模式；（3）关于面对面布局与空间-场所关系的理论启示。最终，本研究为跨分布式空间的规模化协作构建了蓝图。