TOP 4 Favorites Aquarium 2024 from Frederic Fuss

13 January 2025

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I have been planning a kind of review since November in which I will dedicate myself to the works of the past year that impressed and inspired me the most. Unfortunately, I was still involved in jury work until recently, so it was not possible to praise my favorites at the same time without giving the impression of bias. -- Frederic Fuss

TOP 4 Favorites Aquarium 2024 from Frederic Fuss

So here is finally my belated review of the year. Without further ado, here are my top 4 favorites:

Nguyễn Minh Toàn with 'Rise and Shine'

Rise and Shine - Nguyen Minh Toan - VietNam

These overhanging branches look like a twisted rope that unravels at both ends.

I really liked this design because of its natural atmosphere.

The central, slightly inclined structure exudes a lot of calm and security for me. The dynamics could possibly have been increased to make it seem even more twisted. However, I like the restrained and unexcited implementation. Although the branches are very impressive, they do not seem overwhelming-which is good. Overall, I think the work is very successful and I find it difficult to find things that could have been done better. So only a very subtle depth effect is achieved; all focus points and the vanishing point are hidden by the main structure. The sides on the left and right are just complementary and very similar. The foreground seems a bit neglected and a bit more red and orange tones would have been nice.

I look forward to many more works by Mr. Nguyễn Minh Toàn

Trịnh Hạ Lễ with 'Leap'

A peaceful paradise under stilt roots. I was very pleased with this very refreshing and believable design of a South American habitat with mangrove roots.

Overall, the design feels very coherent and is very well balanced. The choice of material and plants fits the idea perfectly. The relatively cold color palette of blue and green with hydrocotyle, Eleocharis and moss is beautifully complemented by the undersides of the nympheae and the brown of the roots.

This creates a very colorful reflection of the water surface, which I really liked. And since raindrops create the surface movement here instead of a hairdryer I think it's great.

Horizontally we see a three-part division that is visually held together by the arches of the stilt roots. The depth effect of this layout is created almost exclusively by the increasingly smaller structures of the roots towards the centrally located vanishing point. I am critical of the use of black lava. I think I would have found it nicer not to use any stones here and instead spread some leaves on the ground. I also think that, given the path of the roots, it would have been very possible to cover the upper edges of the side windows. An even better result may have been achieved.

This design is my personal favorite from 2024 and I hope to see many more works from Mr. Trịnh Hạ Lễ in the future

Katsuki Tanaka with 'Covered in green again'

A piece of modern art! The colors and abstract forms of Vincent van Gogh and Franc Marc have finally found their way into the design of aquariums.

This work does not look natural at all, but rather like conceptual art that inspires. The diagonals point to a vanishing point outside the frame, and yet a slight depth effect is created by contrasting layers of plants and bleached and natural driftwood as well. I find the artist's joy of playing extremely impressive. I find the interesting arrangement of plants in different colors very brave. Overall, I personally experience this masterful implementation of this new concept almost humiliating. This work violates pretty much every rule that I try to convey to my students.

At this point, I just have to bow to the genius. My deepest admiration! For me, the most innovative work of 2024.

Shin Dong Jin with 'Meteor'

What a momentum! I really like this wonderful curved design. A thrilling work that knows how to inspire with is dynamic and naturalness. The structures run in arcs from the vanishing point and ideally through the focal points on the right hand side. If the fish had swum along the arches it would have even reinforced the impression of dynamism. Overall, one of the best works of 2024, my sincere admiration!

I wish everyone a successful and healthy 2025 and hope for continued great work of this kind

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