Coral Morphologic is a hybrid art-science endeavor founded in 2007 by marine biologist Colin Foord and musician Jared McKay. Their works are firmly rooted in the present time and place of Miami: a subtropical city built primarily from limestone recycled from thousands of years of local reef-building. They aim to elevate corals into the sphere of modern design, multi-media, and popular culture such that mankind will be more compelled to preserve the global coral reef ecosystem. 

For Design Miami/, one of the world's premiere design shows, Coral Morphologic has specifically created 'Coral Therapy', a 360-degree film of the natural reef that is experienced through the Oculus Rift. Participants will don the virtual reality headset and be immersed beneath turquoise waters, surrounded by gently swaying corals and schools of tropical fish. The user can fully explore the aquascape simply by rotating the chair or turning one's head. Relaxing ambient sounds lull the user into a transcendental state-of-being, as the sun glitters down from above, and the gloriousness of ocean life is serenely contemplated. 

The concept behind 'Coral Therapy' is to provide people with a realistic underwater experience that is simultaneously immersive, relaxing, and engaging... all without getting wet or leaving the comfort of home. In the near future, virtual reality headsets will become an everyday technology, and thus 'Coral Therapy' is an ideal way to ensure that humans will remain 'grounded' to the sublime reality of our Blue Planet... even as we venture further and further into a collective digital headspace a species. 

Design Miami takes place from December 3-7, 2014 in Miami. For more information, please visit www.designmiami.com.