About Us
ViDERE is a specialist aquarium design studio that creates living systems for homes, workplaces, and public spaces.
Working at the intersection of design, engineering, ecology, and environmental psychology, ViDERE develops bespoke installations that reconnect people with nature through immersive living experiences. Every project is approached as both a technical ecosystem and a designed space, where visual impact and human well-being are WHOLISTICALY considered together.
From concept design and managed installation through to long-term after care, ViDERE combines scientific understanding with creative thinking to deliver aquariums that become an integral part of the physical spaces and social environments they inhabit.
ViDERE (Vid-ear-ee) takes its name from the Latin word vidēre, meaning "to see".
The name reflects our belief that nature should not be confined to the places we expect to find it.
NOVEMBER 2018
Rebranded to VIDERE
JANUARY 2011
First collaboration with Poggenpohl
JUNE 2019
Published report on - Workplace Stress Study
March 2020
Second LiFE Gallery Event
OCTOBER 2020
Commisioned the UK's first music- studio aquarium.
NOVEMBER 2020
Donated aquarium to NHS Staff Wellbeing Hub at QE2.
OCTOBER 2023
Comnisioned a 10,000 litre living reef at SEXY FISH - Manchester.
Februray 2025
Launched sister company: ViDERE Ponds & Landscaping
DECEMEBER 2018
ViDERE launch - First LiFE Gallery Event
OCTOBER 2010
Founded as Aquafront
DECEMEBER 2018
ViDERE launch - First LiFE Gallery Event
OCTOBER 2010
Founded as Aquafront
JANUARY 2011
First collaboration with Poggenpohl
NOVEMBER 2018
Rebranded to VIDERE
DECEMEBER 2018
ViDERE launch - First LiFE Gallery Event
JUNE 2019
Published report on - Workplace Stress Study
MARCH 2020
Second LiFE Gallery Event
OCTOBER 2020
Commissioned the UK's first music- studio aquarium.
NOVEMBER 2020
Donated aquarium to NHS Staff Wellbeing Hub at QE2.
OCTOBER 2023
Commissioned a 10,000 litre living reef at SEXY FISH - Manchester.
FEBRUARY 2025
Launched sister company: ViDERE Ponds & Landscaping
OUR JOURNEY
OUR JOURNEY
● OCTOBER 2010 Founded as Aquafront ● JANUARY 2011 First collaboration with Poggenpohl ● NOVEMBER 2018 Rebranded to VIDERE ● DECEMEBER 2018 ViDERE launch - First LiFE Gallery Event ● JUNE 2019 Published report on - Workplace Stress Study ● MARCH 2020 Second LiFE Gallery Event ● OCTOBER 2020 Commissioned the UK's first music- studio aquarium. ● NOVEMBER 2020 Donated aquarium to NHS Staff Wellbeing Hub at QE2. ● OCTOBER 2023 Commissioned a 10,000 litre living reef at SEXY FISH - Manchester. ● FEBRUARY 2025 Launched sister company: ViDERE Ponds & Landscaping
● DECEMEBER 2018
ViDERE launch - First LiFE Gallery Event
● JUNE 2019
Published report on - Workplace Stress Study
● MARCH 2020
Second LiFE Gallery Event
● OCTOBER 2020
Commissioned the UK's first music- studio aquarium.
● NOVEMBER 2020
Donated aquarium to NHS Staff Wellbeing Hub at QE2.
● OCTOBER 2023
Commissioned a 10,000 litre living reef at SEXY FISH - Manchester.
● FEBRUARY 2025
Launched sister company: ViDERE Ponds & Landscaping
● OCTOBER 2010
Founded as Aquafront
● JANUARY 2011
First collaboration with Poggenpohl
● NOVEMBER 2018
Rebranded to VIDERE
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BIOPHILIA - Latin for "love life"
OUR PHILOSOPHY
The work we do is rooted in biophilic design, an approach integrating nature within the built environment to enhance both aesthetic and emotional well-being.
Nature is not just something to observe, it's a vital part of the human experience. We aim to bring this connection to life by creating environments that deepen people’s bond with the natural world and each other.
"Our creations are living expressions of nature’s ability to improve how we feel, through light, colour, and movement, to bring spaces to LIFE."
AKIL GORDON-BECKFORD
Akil Gordon-Beckford is an aquarist and designer who has dedicated his career to understanding how to create balanced ecosystems and the positive effects of biophilic design.
Drawing from his diverse experiences in design, ecology, aquaculture, construction, and education, Akil has developed an approach of creating living installations that engage viewers and seamlessly integrate into design projects and interiors.
"ViDERE was created to improve how we experience the spaces we live and work in, by connecting people to nature.
I became an aquarium designer to share my fascination with nature and its infinite sources of inspiration! Using the medium of nature is the purest form of artistic expression, and I believe this has shaped the approach I take in the work I do."
