New York · Since 2002
A principal-led atelier: the founders shape every design, and a dedicated team builds, installs and cares for it — so one standard runs from the first sketch to the weekly service visit.
Martin Schapira & Nathan Kamelhar
Founding Partners / Principals
Martin Schapira and Nathan Kamelhar are the founders of Okeanos Group—lifelong friends and creative partners who grew up together and built their work around a shared love of architecture, design, and the natural world.
Martin’s eye was shaped early by an upbringing immersed in fashion and a deep passion for art. He brings a refined sense of composition, color, and balance to every project—approaching each aquarium as a curated visual experience, where materials, lighting, and proportion feel intentional and elevated.
Nathan is a creative at his core, with roots in music and visual design. He brings rhythm, energy, and storytelling to the way spaces are conceived—layering mood, motion, and atmosphere so the aquarium becomes more than a feature; it becomes an immersive moment within the architecture.
Together, Martin and Nathan blend artistry with execution—known for high-end, bespoke aquariums that integrate seamlessly into luxury residences and commercial environments. Their partnership is built on trust, shared standards, and a commitment to creating living installations that feel architectural, personal, and unmistakably Okeanos.
“Living installations that feel architectural, personal, and unmistakably Okeanos.”
The studio
Four leads, one standard: every aquarium should look as clean and composed on an ordinary day as it did on reveal day.
Team Leader & Installation Technician
James is a marine biologist, professional aquarist and aquascaper with more than 40 years of experience in the aquatic world. He leads the Okeanos field team and heads up every installation, turning each design into a living system, from delivery and placement through plumbing, setup and handover.
Lead Maintenance Technician
Angel brings more than 25 years of experience in aquarium maintenance and leads the Okeanos service program. His work spans aquarium cleaning, water quality testing, filtration maintenance, algae control, fish health monitoring and routine care, backed by a deep understanding of equipment, water chemistry, troubleshooting and preventive maintenance.
Lead Livestock Manager
Michael brings more than 40 years of experience in marine aquarium keeping and leads livestock for Okeanos, with a lifelong passion for reef systems and the incredible diversity of marine life they support.
Lead Custom Millworker
Richard leads custom millwork at Okeanos, building the cabinetry, stands, canopies and surrounds that let each aquarium sit seamlessly within its architecture. He works from the design through fabrication and installation, fitting every piece precisely around the tank and the room.
One team owns the water
Founders
Composition, materials, lighting and proportion, conceived with the architecture.
Richard
Cabinetry, stands, canopies and surrounds built around the tank and the room.
James
Delivery, placement, plumbing, setup and handover, coordinated on site.
Michael
Fish and coral husbandry for a thriving, balanced reef.
Angel
Water quality, filtration and routine service so every system stays clear.