Google’s Barrow Street Office Aquarium Project

We were approached by Google’s Barrow Street office with a request to design a fun and engaging aquarium for the YouTube team, offering staff a relaxing space to unwind. Studies show that spending just 5 minutes a day watching an aquarium can help reduce heart rate by 9% and lower blood pressure by 11% while having the same effect on the brain as meditation — ideal for a fast-paced work environment.

The result was a quirky 450-liter Coldwater aquarium featuring a retro computer as the centrepiece, complete with a mouse cleverly repurposed as a bubble stone. We stocked the tank with Orandas and Moors, known for their distinctive "googly eyes," to bring some playful personality to the office. These fish became office characters, giving the staff a chance to name them and enjoy the calming experience of watching their movements throughout the day.

This aquarium brings both fun and relaxation, perfectly tailored for Google's creative and hardworking team.