3form proudly introduces their first collaboration with Gensler, serving as product design consultant, for the Global Expressions Collection. Combining each company’s expertise in design research and innovation, Global Expressions celebrates the power of design with six globally inspired patterns for commercial interiors. The collection honors some of the world’s most enduring cultures by drawing inspiration from their traditional textiles. Global Expressions’ colors, shapes, materials, and techniques also demonstrate the ways cultures around the world find healing and togetherness through artistry. Designed for 3form’s signature Varia resin and etched glass, the collection also offers material resilience with long-lasting applications in high-traffic environments.

3form has joined forces with artisans around the world for more than a decade to encapsulate intricate materials in durable translucent resin and transpose ornate patterns onto precision etched glass. This collaboration with Gensler offered 3form the opportunity to bring an architectural perspective to a brand new line of globally inspired patterns. After meeting more than a year ago to conceptualize the collection, Gensler drew from their international organization to shape ideas that would ultimately become Global Expressions. Once Gensler presented their ideas to 3form, the manufacturer seamlessly transposed the vision onto stunning translucent repeats.

“Working with Gensler was such a unique opportunity to harness their vision and experience,” says 3form’s VP of Design, Christian Darby. “Because of their international presence, they have an interesting global perspective we drew on throughout the collection’s development.”

Global Expressions’ six patterns–Kente, Yakan, Jakar, Shibori, Kuba, and Ochre–reinterpret traditional weft techniques, material dyeing processes, and brocades through asymmetrical grids, faded corners, and intersecting shapes. Shibori’s faded edges represent an ancient Japanese tie-dyeing method, while Kuba reimagines traditional handcrafted designs in an irregular gridded repeat. Unified by geometric shapes, these patterns also demonstrate the connections between cultures from all sides of the globe.

“While each pattern is distinctly individual, there are wonderful similarities in geometry and scale that allow them to be mixed or used independently,” says Scott Star, Director of Product Development and Co-Global Practice Area Leader at Gensler. “And the graphic nature of the textile patterns complement the built environment beautifully.” The Global Expressions Shibori pattern in etched glass.

Global Expressions’ translucent Varia and etched glass amplify natural light in commercial spaces with depth, shadow, and texture. Applicable as wall panels, dividers, reception desk wraps, signage, and more, the patterns bring a world of possibilities for commercial projects.

Global Expressions’ Varia material is available in curated color pairings from 3form’s 2022 Color Collection, featuring mossy greens, deep blues, cool grays, and sandy golds that evoke a sense of calm and serenity that only derives from nature. 3form’s Varia resin is available in 4’x8’ and 4’x10’ panels, with 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", and 1" gauges and a two-week lead time. Global Expressions is also available in clear float or low iron glass, with a maximum panel size of 4’x10’, and 5/16", 7/16", 9/16", 13/16", 1 1/16" gauges.