The design of information systems supporting virtual organizations and innovative work models is a strategic issue. However, many practitioners focus on the solution of technical problems. Although the term “architecture” has already been subject to discussion, it has never really been defined. The paper introduces an architectural model consisting of the elements strategy, static organization structure, process structure, application structure, data structure, communication structure and infrastructure. It also demonstrates the application of this model to the development process of an electronic mall system. It becomes obvious that pre-defined patterns play a major role in all of the architectural components. Analysis and design patterns are not the only reusable components, they have just been the latest ones to be discussed. Patterns make the development of architectures more efficient and lead to better results.