Custom Aquarium Location
-
Custom Aquarium Location
July 2014
If you have decided that you want an aquarium the next big decision to take is the location of the installation. Where the aquarium will sit is a personal decision and it depends on your life style, your property and interior design taste.
However, due to most of the installations being semi-permanent it is important to be informed on the advantages and disadvantages that a certain location posses. Here are some advice and recommendations from the creative team at Aquarium Architecture for the aquarium location in home.
– Front Entrance:
Whether in a home or in a commercial building, having an aquarium near the front entrance can be aesthetically pleasing and inviting to guest. In the practice of Feng Shui, the placement of aquariums near entrances is said to absorb negative vibrations from entering. Be sure to consider light in an entrance – too much leads to algae issues.
– Office:
When deciding to have an aquarium, you may want to consider having an aquarium in your office. Fish have been closely associated with the energy of water, and the practice of Feng Shui references fish as a giver of nourishment thus associated with health, wealth, and prosperity. Whether in a home office or a commercial office, studies have shown that aquariums reduce stress and blood pressure, boosting morale, while brightening the room.
Lastly, aquariums in the office are beneficial in creating interesting conversation and if your business is associated with water, it can also attract customers.
– Bedroom:
Imagine climbing in to bed and looking up to see beautiful fish swimming above you. The appeal of an aquarium in the bedroom does sound exciting and beautiful, but the overall installation process poses certain challenges to an aquarium designer.
Roland Horne, Creative Director of Aquarium Architecture, tells that “Although our aquariums are always designed to be as quiet as possible, inevitably when you are trying to recreate the ocean tides in someone’s bedroom, it is going to have an element of residual noise. This noise tends to be approximately 30db which is similar to a public library.”
Another factor to consider is the amount of attention an aquarium will get in a bedroom compared to a more social room in the house.
– Kitchen:
When building an aquarium in a kitchen there are some concerns to think about, but there are amazing turn outs as well. Electrical outlets, lighting, and heat must be considered when installing an aquarium in the kitchen because there are many varying temperatures throughout. Recently the kitchen has become the main social gathering area of a home and as a result an aquarium can enhance the space, as well as, be a unique design element.
Jeremy, Operations Director at Aquarium Architecture thinks that “Aquaria can work well in kitchens as the natural daylight and activity cycle mirrors perfectly the cycle that human beings would naturally experience. The aquarium lighting in the mornings is soft and slowly brightening, just as we would slowly awaken over breakfast. As the lighting intensifies through the day, so does the activity in the aquarium, such that by the time our clients arrive back home to prepare dinner, the aquarium is bright and wide awake. As the evening draws to a close, the aquarium lighting dims and the inhabitants begin to disappear off to their hiding places where they will sleep through the night.
Many modern bespoke kitchens have a very strong and specific visual aesthetic. This makes it is crucial for both the design of the aquarium and the type of inhabitants to complement the surroundings. In this environment a fairly understated aquarium with large, bold fish which are more immediately impacting and interactive works well.
– Dining Room:
After a long day of work, whether sitting down for dinner with a large family or just a significant other, the dining room is a place to relax and come together. By placing an aquarium in the dining room it will become the focus of the room, creating a calming atmosphere and aesthetic pleasing design to the room.
An aquarium would also help define the room by becoming a piece of art, one that will look magnificent and luxurious to visitors. Studies have even shown better eating habits occurring after placing aquariums in dining rooms. Overall, when considering an aquarium installation the dining room should be toward the top of your list.
“ For me, the dining room is the perfect place for an aquarium”, Jeremy says, ”Reef aquaria are particularly suited to this environment, as they contain such a cornucopia of life that one needs time to sit, observe and take it all in. Whether it is a reef or a tranquil freshwater planted display, aquaria obviously also provide a fantastic talking point as well as a fascinating distraction during lulls in the conversation. It can also be a welcome focal point in a room where people may otherwise not spend much time save for mealtimes.
Provided the conditions are correct, the aquarium lighting cycle can also be set to give the most impressive display in the evenings, when the aquarium would most likely be enjoyed. Although it can be a challenge to create a display which works aesthetically from the perspective of someone standing up looking at the aquarium as well as a seated observer, the challenge is worth it as we know that a dining room display will receive much more observation than an aquarium situated in a corridor or out of the way location.
Seated viewing of aquariums also aids in reinforcing the natural calming effect they can have, which helps make it much more rewarding for our clients.”
– Living Room:
More often than not, aquariums are used as a divider between the living room and another room, such as the kitchen or dining room. Other times, aquariums in the living room are installed in decorative walls or centre pieces ranging in different shapes, styles, and dimensions.
By installing an aquarium in the living room it can be admired by its owners and guests, become a talking point of the room, and create an awe-factor. When building an aquarium in the living room, there is much more leverage for customizing the aquarium to the clients wants because there is usually more space and the ability to easily change and reconstruct walls.
Jos, the Senior Designer at Aquarium Architecture says that “The living room is often one of the most used and inhabited spaces of any residential dwelling so it is a common place to find any aquaria installation. An area to relax and enjoy time in the company of family and friends an aquarium can provide a therapeutic backdrop or interesting conversation focal.
Being able to sit back and take in the real spectacle of this unique ecosystem often provides hours of entertainment as you get lost in an uncommon world. Whether dividing an open plan space with a unique threshold, being built into the existing fabric, or free standing, an aquarium to enjoy in comfort is an extremely rewarding experience.”
– Bathrooms:
The thought of being in a bathtub with a built in aquarium sounds thrilling, it might feel as if you were swimming in the sea with the fish while simply just bathing. However, there are many factors that are important to consider before installing an aquarium in the bathroom.
Pertaining to both saltwater and freshwater aquariums, heat and light are important to the aquatic life within the tank. Specifically, steam from showering or bathing can accelerate the growth rate of algae and can create an imbalance in the tank temperature that can harm the health of the aquatic life. Due to limited space in most bathrooms as well as very few electrical outlets, which are needed for water filters and pumps, we recommend against installing aquariums within the bathroom. We also strongly believe that an aquarium should be installed in a room that people can admire while enhancing the space and be aesthetically pleasing.
Some other recommendations from the team at Aquarium Architecture:
– Try not to set up a fish tank near a window where it can be exposed to direct sunlight or very strong daylight.
– Try not to locate an aquarium near a door or where there is heavy traffic as this can stress the fish.
– We encourage not placing an aquarium near a radiator, an air conditioner, or a vent, where the temperature can change rapidly.
– Try to locate an aquarium near electrical outlets as these will be required for the different filtration and lighting equipment.
– And lastly, we encourage choosing to install an aquarium in an area where you can sit comfortably to enjoy the fish and the aquatic life.
Custom Aquarium Location
If you have decided that you want an aquarium the next big decision to take is the location of the installation. Where the aquarium will sit is a personal decision and it depends on your life style, your property and interior design taste.
However, due to most of the installations being semi-permanent it is important to be informed on the advantages and disadvantages that a certain location posses. Here are some advice and recommendations from the creative team at Aquarium Architecture for the aquarium location in home.
– Front Entrance:
Whether in a home or in a commercial building, having an aquarium near the front entrance can be aesthetically pleasing and inviting to guest. In the practice of Feng Shui, the placement of aquariums near entrances is said to absorb negative vibrations from entering. Be sure to consider light in an entrance – too much leads to algae issues.
– Office:
When deciding to have an aquarium, you may want to consider having an aquarium in your office. Fish have been closely associated with the energy of water, and the practice of Feng Shui references fish as a giver of nourishment thus associated with health, wealth, and prosperity. Whether in a home office or a commercial office, studies have shown that aquariums reduce stress and blood pressure, boosting morale, while brightening the room.
Lastly, aquariums in the office are beneficial in creating interesting conversation and if your business is associated with water, it can also attract customers.
– Bedroom:
Imagine climbing in to bed and looking up to see beautiful fish swimming above you. The appeal of an aquarium in the bedroom does sound exciting and beautiful, but the overall installation process poses certain challenges to an aquarium designer.
Roland Horne, Creative Director of Aquarium Architecture, tells that “Although our aquariums are always designed to be as quiet as possible, inevitably when you are trying to recreate the ocean tides in someone’s bedroom, it is going to have an element of residual noise. This noise tends to be approximately 30db which is similar to a public library.”
Another factor to consider is the amount of attention an aquarium will get in a bedroom compared to a more social room in the house.
– Kitchen:
When building an aquarium in a kitchen there are some concerns to think about, but there are amazing turn outs as well. Electrical outlets, lighting, and heat must be considered when installing an aquarium in the kitchen because there are many varying temperatures throughout. Recently the kitchen has become the main social gathering area of a home and as a result an aquarium can enhance the space, as well as, be a unique design element.
Jeremy, Operations Director at Aquarium Architecture thinks that “Aquaria can work well in kitchens as the natural daylight and activity cycle mirrors perfectly the cycle that human beings would naturally experience. The aquarium lighting in the mornings is soft and slowly brightening, just as we would slowly awaken over breakfast. As the lighting intensifies through the day, so does the activity in the aquarium, such that by the time our clients arrive back home to prepare dinner, the aquarium is bright and wide awake. As the evening draws to a close, the aquarium lighting dims and the inhabitants begin to disappear off to their hiding places where they will sleep through the night.
Many modern bespoke kitchens have a very strong and specific visual aesthetic. This makes it is crucial for both the design of the aquarium and the type of inhabitants to complement the surroundings. In this environment a fairly understated aquarium with large, bold fish which are more immediately impacting and interactive works well.
– Dining Room:
After a long day of work, whether sitting down for dinner with a large family or just a significant other, the dining room is a place to relax and come together. By placing an aquarium in the dining room it will become the focus of the room, creating a calming atmosphere and aesthetic pleasing design to the room.
An aquarium would also help define the room by becoming a piece of art, one that will look magnificent and luxurious to visitors. Studies have even shown better eating habits occurring after placing aquariums in dining rooms. Overall, when considering an aquarium installation the dining room should be toward the top of your list.
“ For me, the dining room is the perfect place for an aquarium”, Jeremy says, ”Reef aquaria are particularly suited to this environment, as they contain such a cornucopia of life that one needs time to sit, observe and take it all in. Whether it is a reef or a tranquil freshwater planted display, aquaria obviously also provide a fantastic talking point as well as a fascinating distraction during lulls in the conversation. It can also be a welcome focal point in a room where people may otherwise not spend much time save for mealtimes.
Provided the conditions are correct, the aquarium lighting cycle can also be set to give the most impressive display in the evenings, when the aquarium would most likely be enjoyed. Although it can be a challenge to create a display which works aesthetically from the perspective of someone standing up looking at the aquarium as well as a seated observer, the challenge is worth it as we know that a dining room display will receive much more observation than an aquarium situated in a corridor or out of the way location.
Seated viewing of aquariums also aids in reinforcing the natural calming effect they can have, which helps make it much more rewarding for our clients.”
– Living Room:
More often than not, aquariums are used as a divider between the living room and another room, such as the kitchen or dining room. Other times, aquariums in the living room are installed in decorative walls or centre pieces ranging in different shapes, styles, and dimensions.
By installing an aquarium in the living room it can be admired by its owners and guests, become a talking point of the room, and create an awe-factor. When building an aquarium in the living room, there is much more leverage for customizing the aquarium to the clients wants because there is usually more space and the ability to easily change and reconstruct walls.
Jos, the Senior Designer at Aquarium Architecture says that “The living room is often one of the most used and inhabited spaces of any residential dwelling so it is a common place to find any aquaria installation. An area to relax and enjoy time in the company of family and friends an aquarium can provide a therapeutic backdrop or interesting conversation focal.
Being able to sit back and take in the real spectacle of this unique ecosystem often provides hours of entertainment as you get lost in an uncommon world. Whether dividing an open plan space with a unique threshold, being built into the existing fabric, or free standing, an aquarium to enjoy in comfort is an extremely rewarding experience.”
– Bathrooms:
The thought of being in a bathtub with a built in aquarium sounds thrilling, it might feel as if you were swimming in the sea with the fish while simply just bathing. However, there are many factors that are important to consider before installing an aquarium in the bathroom.
Pertaining to both saltwater and freshwater aquariums, heat and light are important to the aquatic life within the tank. Specifically, steam from showering or bathing can accelerate the growth rate of algae and can create an imbalance in the tank temperature that can harm the health of the aquatic life. Due to limited space in most bathrooms as well as very few electrical outlets, which are needed for water filters and pumps, we recommend against installing aquariums within the bathroom. We also strongly believe that an aquarium should be installed in a room that people can admire while enhancing the space and be aesthetically pleasing.
Some other recommendations from the team at Aquarium Architecture:
– Try not to set up a fish tank near a window where it can be exposed to direct sunlight or very strong daylight.
– Try not to locate an aquarium near a door or where there is heavy traffic as this can stress the fish.
– We encourage not placing an aquarium near a radiator, an air conditioner, or a vent, where the temperature can change rapidly.
– Try to locate an aquarium near electrical outlets as these will be required for the different filtration and lighting equipment.
– And lastly, we encourage choosing to install an aquarium in an area where you can sit comfortably to enjoy the fish and the aquatic life.