Misawas Contemporary Fish Waterscapes

We often talk about the aspirational lifestyle of refinement and minimalist luxury in a human sense - because we are humans, afterall - but we never considered that we'd think about such an idea from a fish's point of view. Aquariums are often statement pieces of furniture that are often viewed as pretty amazing to have in one's homes, whether they be purpose built to fit perhaps within a kitchen table, beneath the staircase or atop a living room surface, or even a standard glass bowl. Aside form their ongoing maintenance, which of course varies tremendously between if you chose a small spherical bowl or an oversized permanent glass structure, having a home aquarium is perhaps the utmost of aspirational home goals. However, why should us mere humans have the monopoly of life refinement? Who gave us such privilege?

The contemporary aquarium by Haruka Misawa, a former nendo (Japan) designer, is all things whimsical, awesome and comfortable, and everything in between. Presently just a prototype, Misawa explains of the design process that he has "...conducted countless small experiments, seeking to discover beyond just mere visual effects." As can be seen by the gallery, one version features a small ballooned beaker that acts as a tank within the overall tank, whilst another features inverted tunnels for curiousness, and another is a fine 3D-printed web lattice of geometry and white frames that mimic the flora that small fish use for shelter.

Particularly noticable, Misawa explains, "...underneath the surface of water is a unique environment that exudes an energy which is completely opposite from that which is surrounded by air." Have you ever thought about contemporary design that inhibits a space under water, perhaps?

Inspired by architecture, Misawa wishes to design simply great and comfortable aquatic homes and is particularly interested in using inorganic materials to mimic organic produce. Of luxury materiality that gives the fish a clean and minimalist environment, all of particularly low maintenance and chance of undesirable plant growth, Misawa's fish 'heavens' are really quite awesome. In SATORI & SCOUT's minds, we reckon having one of Misawa's fish homes is much more exciting and aspirational than an oversized tank that may only become undesirable over time without proper maintenance.

"I will never forget the nervousness and excitement that I felt when I was putting fish and shrimps in the tank for the first time after the piece was completed", Misawa explains, whereby after seeing how the aquatic animals react to their new home, Misawa begins "...to imagine that they are in complete understanding of the purpose of my design." How all very smart and cute, this whimsical prototype idea has our interests high. Discover more about these characterful waterscapes at Misawa Design Institute.

Photography credit : Misawa Design Institute)

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