A system for communications in a distributed computing environment is provided that includes an application layer (132), a proxy layer (134), a reference layer (136), and an object layer (138). The application layer (132) provides communications between an application (108) and an operating entity. The proxy layer (134) provides communications between the application (108) and a remote proxy (154). The remote proxy (154) is a local representative for a requested object (110) residing in an address space different from an address space in which the application (108) resides. The reference layer (136) provides communications between the remote proxy (154) and the requested object (110). The reference layer (136) includes communication protocol details to support transmission of messages across a network (106) linking the remote proxy (154) and the requested object (110). The object layer (138) includes the requested object (110). The object layer (138) maintains the separation of communication protocol details within the reference layer (136).