After Oceanic is the adaptive social practice of Hawai‘i artist and built environment practitioner Sean Connelly, dedicated to support those engaged in recovering, advancing and protecting the future of creativity, design, and radical spatial intelligence across Pae ‘Āina Hawai‘i (the Hawaiian Islands), the Pacific, and beyond.

Built Environments Lab

After Oceanic is a grassroots design enterprise for projects in architecture, landscape, and infrastructure. ‘Āina—that which feeds—is the foundation of all we do.

Working within a dynamic grassroots network of cultural bearers, creative practitioners, scholars, and experts, After Oceanic was formed to support Native intellect, ecological resilience, and collaborative care to envision regenerative, Native-led futures for Hawai‘i’s built environments, and onward.

Through built projects, creative speculation, and spatial communication, we work to promote justice-advancing futures. We collaborate across scales—from individuals to organizations—gathering and applying knowledge and indigenous science through a variety of media that address the dynamics of human geography today. Working at the intersections of form-making, networks, perception, and cartography, our focus is ecological, economic, and technologic in scope. We approach material, information, energy, and time as planetary systems that humans design and redesign.

Rooted in this deep relationship between land, ocean, and community, our work supports pathways of wellbeing that exist within these interconnected systems, essential to our future.

Demonstrating Radical Transformations in Design
We work both collaboratively and independenly to explore historical context, reconsider present-day innovation, and engage in critical reflection and dialogue to share knowledge that shapes the future of architecture and urbanism. By combining design with activism, we create projects that redefine the role of built environments as living systems—holistic, culturally embedded spaces that evolve through continuous regeneration. Our work is a commitment to reshaping Hawai‘i’s spatial futures in ways that honor the past while embracing forward-thinking ecological design. We challenge the dominant paradigms of architecture and land use by placing Native knowledge systems and biocultural stewardship at the forefront of design, planning, and development.

Regenerating Native Built Environments
We perceive the built environment as a living, physical entity that reflects its place and inhabitants, both human and nonhuman. This perspective requires holographic and common-sense understandings of the biocultural landscapes of land, ocean, and sky, along with their peoples, creatures, ancestors, and spirits. Believing that ‘Āina requires continual regeneration, we help to advocate for, recognize, and invest in the physical future of Native built environments in Hawai‘i. These environments serve as essential protective factors that enhance the overall wellbeing of Hawaiian communities for generations to come.

Pathways of Collaborative Care
We believe that collaboration and creativity are essential to building futures rooted in care for ‘Āina, culture, and community. Our work emerges from collective efforts to uplift Native knowledge, innovation, and wellbeing. Together, we offer pathways of support across the following 10 areas of collaboration to empower ecological, cultural, and spatial transformations:

• Architectural Design & ‘Āina Futurism: Envisioning architecture that honors Native Hawaiian values and embraces the future of built environments.
  
  
• Land Use Analysis & Design: Creating sustainable land use strategies informed by cultural and ecological needs.
  
  
• Data Analysis & Representation: Translating complex information into meaningful visuals that serve communities and support decision-making.
  
  
• GIS Science: Mapping and analyzing spatial data to inform land stewardship, conservation, and planning.
  
  
• Site Forensics & 3D Modeling: Investigating the physical past and future of spaces through advanced modeling, ensuring responsible design.
  
  
• Regional Planning & Historic Representation: Developing plans that honor both history and place to support community wellbeing.
  
  
• Fabrication Support: Offering expertise in the creation and construction of designs and models that bring ideas to life.
  
  
• Curriculum Design & Development: Crafting educational programs that integrate Native ecological and cultural knowledge with design.
  
  
• Organizational Development & Strategy: Assisting in the growth and strategy of organizations aligned with decolonial and community-centered missions.
  
  
• Theory, Innovation, & Activism: Advancing theoretical approaches and supporting movements that contribute to Native liberation and ecological balance.

A History of Artist-Driven Activist Design
After Oceanic was founded in Honolulu, Hawai‘i in 2010 by Hawai‘i artist and building practitioner Sean Connelly.