1. An Internet-based design environment, implemented on a web server computer, for use by building, design, architectural, engineering, and construction personnel, wherein the design environment provides a graphical user interface having a virtual desktop that resembles an architect's desk, wherein the virtual desktop provides a virtual workspace for storing design documents and a set of basic virtual design tools for use in sketching, drawing, modeling, creating, and editing the stored design documents in the virtual workspace; wherein the design documents are different media types and are persistently maintained on the web server; wherein the virtual design tools comprise graphical icons represented by objects with persistent properties for each object, and wherein the virtual design tools may be moved around the virtual workspace; and wherein the design environment supports multi-modal input, side-by-side layout of the stored documents, access permissions for users of the design environment, the ability to interact with applications on the virtual desktop, and the ability for multiple users at different locations to access and edit workspaces and documents simultaneously, while one user can see another user's edits as the edits are made.