Bringing Aquascaping to the Forefront of Modern Design in India Abhik Mazumdar, Founder, Reef and Stream.
In a landscape where design and wellness increasingly intersect, Reef & Stream Aquascapes Pvt Ltd is redefining aquatic architecture in India, led by founder Abhik Mazumdar, a former lawyer whose lifelong fascination with underwater ecosystems evolved into a design philosophy rooted in sustainability, science, and storytelling.
From luxury homes to corporate spaces, the company creates immersive aquatic environments that do more than decorate; they breathe, respond, and reflect the soul of a space. With growing interest from architects and wellness-focused developers, Reef & Stream is shaping a new design vocabulary for modern India.
Quick Dive: A Conversation with Abhik Mazumdar, Founder of Reef & Stream
In this interview, Abhik shares his journey, the principles behind his bespoke installations, and why aquascaping deserves to be seen not as a hobby but as a legitimate, emotionally resonant design discipline.
1. What first drew you to the world of aquascaping, and how did it evolve into a professional journey?
My journey into aquascaping began in childhood, growing up in Kolkata when I would bring home small fish in Horlicks bottles, and my father soon gifted me my first aquarium. That sparked a lifelong fascination with aquatic ecosystems, further inspired by Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals.
After my father’s passing, my uncle gifted me a larger tank and with my mother’s support, I kept my passion alive even as I pursued law at the National Law School in Bangalore. While practising under senior advocate Mr. K.K. Venugopal, I created a marine aquarium in his office, and later in my own chambers with support from Mr. Sanjay Jain.
What began as a hobby quietly turned into a profession when industrialist Mr. Anil Nanda commissioned my first large-scale project. One installation led to another, and Reef & Stream Aquascapes was born, not out of a business plan, but from the quiet momentum of doing what I loved.
2. Reef & Stream is known for its immersive and artistic aquascapes. What’s your core design philosophy when creating these living ecosystems?
Whether it’s a compact aquarium or a large-scale installation, my design philosophy begins with precision, where engineering, architecture, and artistry come together to create a space that truly sustains life. That’s where form factor and detailing become critical.
Every aquascape I build is inspired by the raw beauty of nature its asymmetry, stillness, and quiet order. Early on, I focused deeply on the biotope concept, recreating ecosystems true to their geographic origin. Today, while I still lead with emotion and follow with technique, the surrounding space plays an equally vital role. Each installation must feel like it belongs, enhancing, not overpowering its environment.
It’s never just decoration. It’s about crafting a living, breathing world that evokes balance, connection, and wonder.
3. How do you balance aesthetics with ecological responsibility in your projects?
When clients come to me with a vision driven by aesthetics or passion, my first step is to guide them toward balance, because in aquascaping, form and ecology are co-dependent, not opposites.
A visually striking aquascape that isn’t balanced within simply won’t survive and in my view, it isn’t an aquascape at all. I only work with species that can thrive in the designed conditions and are ethically sourced from responsible, captive-breeding environments. Materials are carefully selected, and every tank functions as a closed-loop ecosystem.
Sustainability isn’t a feature, it's the foundation. That’s also why we offer ongoing AMC support and educate clients on how to live with their aquascape, not just admire it.
4. What are some of the most unique or challenging installations you’ve worked on so far?
Every installation we create is entirely bespoke tailored to its space, vision, and purpose. No two are alike, and neither are the challenges. Nearly 40% of our time is devoted to the design phase, where we anticipate everything from structural constraints to life support logistics and habitat needs. Most roadblocks are resolved before we even begin execution.
That said, the real challenge often lies in bridging imagination and feasibility. A memorable example was a request to turn a vintage Beetle car into an aquarium fascinating in theory, but not viable in practice. I declined, but just days later, the same client, Mr. Anil Nanda, commissioned our first major project.
It was a reminder that transparency and trust often open the door to truly boundary-pushing work.
5. How involved are your clients in the creative process, and how do you customise each project to reflect their vision or space?
Most of my clients — and often the architects involved give me complete creative freedom. They trust the process, and I, in turn, begin by observing the space: its light, energy, and emotional tone.
No two scapes are ever the same because no two clients are. My role is to translate their unspoken connection to nature into something immersive and alive, something they can live with every day.
Occasionally, a client will share a memory or visual that resonates with them: a forest, a stream, a feeling. And when I can, I weave that into the design. Those small details often make the escape deeply personal.
6. -What kind of innovations or technologies do you use to ensure the sustainability and longevity of your aquascapes?
Our life support system (LSS) design is grounded in science, a careful integration of biology, chemistry, and physics. These aren’t plug-and-play installations; they require precision engineering and ongoing, well-informed maintenance.
Regular water testing, species health monitoring, and system tuning are all part of ensuring long-term success. Clients also need to be prepared for periodic upgrades, consumables, and livestock additions as the ecosystem matures.
While many of our techniques are proprietary, the underlying principle is simple: sustainability is not a one-time choice, it's a continuous process built into every layer of the design.
7. What is your vision for the future of aquascaping in India, and how do you see your work influencing that direction?
In India, aquascaping is still largely seen as a hobby often focused on aesthetics, with less awareness of the craft, science, and discipline behind it. But I believe it has the potential to evolve into a respected design practice much like bonsai or ikebana in Japan blending art, wellness, and architectural integration.
With increasing interest from architects and design-forward clients, I see a future where aquascaping becomes part of the mainstream language of interior and spatial design. What’s missing, though, is a world-class public aquarium that makes this accessible to everyone not just as a spectacle, but as an experience of education and empathy.
Through Reef & Stream, I hope to not just build installations, but also train young artists, collaborate across disciplines, and ultimately contribute to spaces where aquatic, terrestrial, and arboreal ecosystems coexist and inspire.
8. Do you have any advice for aspiring aquascapers or young creatives interested in blending art, nature, and design?
Aquascaping still isn’t widely seen as a career, but that’s no reason not to pursue it seriously. If it’s your passion, nurture it. Read, observe, and most importantly get your hands dirty.
Watch how nature behaves, how a leaf floats, how water moves, where life thrives and where it doesn’t. Try, fail, adjust. Break symmetry. Learn patience.
And as you grow, don’t just chase perfection chase balance. Do it ethically. Be responsible for the life in your care. Whether you’re working with glass, stone, or water, you’re not just building a space you’re giving life a home.
