This week’s selection is the amazing set of aquarium structures by Japanese artist Haruka Misawa.
Misawa, who works at the eponymous Misawa Design Institute in the heart of Tokyo, has delivered numerous works in a wide variety of materials, but the Waterscapes set includes several definitely 3D printed items.
The small collection’s 3D printed items include the bizarre bulbous item at top, which seems to have no title, like other individual items in the Waterscape collection.
This wirey structure seems to fill the aquarium, yet is sparse enough to easily lift out for aquarium maintenance.
Here is an organic “dome” that fits over the bottom of the tank, providing a kind of non-flat surface for fish to hide within.
Mostly artistic, these 3D printed flowers provide an attractive visual.
A strange 3D printed tree grows in the tank, establishing tiny platforms for fish. Will they use them? Apparently so!
These works provide a feeling of organization within an otherwise empty aquarium. They are clear, calm and purposeful in design, as you can experience in this beautiful video of Waterscapes:
3D printing items for an aquarium is quite a good idea, as the generally weak structures should have little trouble surviving the trials of underwater life. However, if you attempt to do so, please ensure the plastics you’re using are bio-compatible with the living organisms in your aquarium.
