A theme is defined and associated with a collaboration space user interface. The theme includes a predetermined set of files including a cascading style sheet and a predetermined set of layout files, with a layout file for each of a plurality of view modes of operation. Bach layout file specifies content and layout of a plurality of skin components including logo, table of contents, action bar, tool bar, and page content skin components. The set of layout files contains five layout tiles for page view mode layout, list folder view layout, headline folder view layout, slide show layout, and page edit mode. The cascading style sheet includes a common style sheet and a skin style sheet, with the common style sheet specifying font, size and color style for page content skin components common to each view mode of operation.