A 12-month journey to create a living underwater world inspired by a prehistoric forest.
Creating an aquarium for a paediatric clinic wasn't just about creating a beautiful aquascape.
The goal was to make the clinic feel a little less intimidating for children — to create something that could capture their attention, spark their imagination, and make the experience of visiting the doctor just a little more enjoyable.
This 7-foot planted aquarium sits between the clinic's waiting area and consultation rooms, creating a living feature that can be enjoyed from both sides.
The project began with the design and construction of a custom aquarium and stand, followed by months of close collaboration with the client and fit-out company to ensure everything integrated seamlessly into the clinic.
The aquascape was inspired by a prehistoric forest, with dense planting, weathered rocks and twisted branches creating the feeling of an ancient landscape.
This concept was also designed to tie into the clinic's dinosaur theme, creating a natural connection between the aquarium and the wider environment. Rather than simply being an aquarium placed within the clinic, the goal was for it to feel like another part of the world the children were entering.
One of the aquarium's unique features is its switchable smart glass. At the touch of a button, the glass can become opaque to provide privacy between spaces, or transparent so the aquarium can be viewed from either side.
Once the installation was complete, the next stage was creating the aquascape.
I carefully selected and positioned the hardscape, planted the aquarium, and then began the most difficult part of any new aquascape — waiting.
The aquarium needed time to establish, cycle and mature into a healthy, stable ecosystem before livestock could be introduced.
Much of what I create today is inspired by the same feeling I had as a child — staring into an aquarium and imagining what might exist beneath the water's surface.
There was always something magical about looking into an aquarium and feeling like you were discovering another world.
That sense of exploration became an important part of the design for this aquarium. The prehistoric forest concept gives children another world to discover, while tying naturally into the dinosaur theme of the clinic.
Perhaps a child waiting for an appointment will stop and watch the shrimp moving through the plants. Maybe they'll notice a tiny fish hiding among the leaves, or simply spend a few moments imagining what might be happening beneath the surface.
If this aquarium can make a visit to the doctor feel a little less scary, while inspiring even one child to become curious about the underwater world, then it has achieved something far more meaningful than simply being a beautiful aquarium.
Although the aquarium is now home to its first inhabitants, the aquascape is only at the beginning of its journey.
As the plants continue to grow and the ecosystem matures, I'll continue to introduce new varieties of plants, fish and shrimp, allowing the aquarium to evolve naturally over time.
For me, that's one of the most rewarding parts of aquascaping.
You don't simply create an aquarium.
You create a living world — and then you get to watch it change.
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