ABSTRACT
In the context of this book's focus on the changing shape of practice in architecture and the role research takes within this development, it is of interest to examine a special case that does not directly adhere to the common frameworks and modes of practice. This special case is OCEAN, a registered not-forprofit design research association that conducts inter- and transdisciplinary research in design across creative disciplines, with an explicit focus on the breadth of the human-dominated environment and architecture and urban design in particular. Over the time of its 20 years in existence, OCEAN has repeatedly faced internal discussions as to whether it should become a regular practice and at each of these occasions this impulse was resisted; in result the group continued to search for an adequate and productive operational format.
