This article concerns an investigation into a new methodology and computational tools facilitating a collaborative environment in the field of architecture and urban design. Desk research by way of literature search has been applied on projects in three countries. The results of the empirical studies have shown three problems in the collaborative environment: semantics, synchronisation and communication. Besides these handicaps, there are professional handicaps. The article sketches a scenario for a virtual environment for collaborative learning with network technology and simulation games. This will lead to a filter mediated interaction model. The scenario is illustrated with three screenshots of the interface. Practical, professional tools, based on the methodology and the mock-up, will be developed in an international effort.