In this paper we present CoHyDe (Collaborative Hyperme- dia distributed Design), an open and strongly distributed hypermedia model that supports distributed workgroups. The architecture is based on the metaphor of the actor model and is structured in three layers, each represented as populations of autonomous and independent actors that cooperate in order to achieve common goals. The model supports tempo- rally and geographically distributed workgroups and a current web-based implementation proves its applicability and functionality.