A look at materials manufacturer 3form’s latest custom projects and the team that brings them to life.
For nearly a decade, 3form has sculpted its formable resin and glass materials into extravagant honeycomb-inspired bridges, colorful park trellises, rock climbing walls, and more. Grounded with the understanding that no two projects are the same, 3form’s expert team of lighting engineers, fabricators, project managers, technical support representatives, thoughtfully consider each project’s aesthetics as well as weather conditions, wind, and building codes. 3form’s exterior team also offers support from ideation to installation to bring even the most out-of-the-box ideas to life while keeping safety and durability top of mind.
“Designers come to 3form because we can take their vision and make it real,” says Cory Pymm, 3form Exteriors’ Solutions Engineering Manager. “We don’t expect them to know the engineering behind each exterior project—that’s our job. Every project is different so it takes the whole team to make it come to life.”
3form’s exterior projects are composed of exterior-grade Koda XT, an incredibly strong polycarbonate resin, and Chroma XT, a thick optical-grade panel, and durable glass. Available in 90 colors tested to maintain vibrancy with sunlight exposure, the UV stable materials cast colorful shadows that draw attention to any entryway, public bench, or playground.
“It’s all about creating a new and exciting environment,” says Pymm. “With 3form, designers introduce translucency, creating shade but also a vibrant outdoor space. It has a wow factor that draws attention to a public entrance or communal patio.”
The combination of engineering expertise and materials knowledge help bring projects to life. Below are some of 3form’s latest exterior projects.
4th Street Underpass Calgary, Alberta
Canadian architecture firm MBAC transformed this dark, inaccessible train underpass into a dynamic walkway illuminated with color-changing LED lights and geometric Koda XT panels. Designed over four years, 3form’s Exteriors team entered the conversation early on to test Koda XT’s ability to handle fallen debris and weather conditions above while retaining its beautiful shape.
Canal Park Washington, D.C.
Located in a sprawling city park, 3form’s Chroma XT lantern pavilion creates a vertical statement. Towering over the open space, the illuminated box activates the park’s nearby seating area and grassy plots. The project’s designer, Studio Architecture, collaborated with 3form’s Exteriors early on to engineer the lantern’s five-foot by 20-foot panels and custom hardware.
Beehive Bridge New Britain, Connecticut
Suspended above Highway 72 in New Britain, Connecticut, Beehive Bridge is a burst of color and organic shape. Complete with orange and gold Koda XT panels, the installation casts vibrant shadows along the walking bridge during the day and illuminates at night with the help of LED lights. Photo by Land Sea Air Media.
Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children Honolulu, Hawaii
16 colorful Koda XT saucers dot KMCWC Honolulu’s outdoor play area. Specified by Hawaii-based architecture firm Lionakis, the 1,500 square-foot space features a bright yellow trellis, accented yellow and green Koda XT circles that cast playful shadows above and below. 3form pre-drilled the circles in their Salt Lake City factory to perfectly align with the trellis beams and joists, and installed them at a slope to prevent the build-up of rainwater.