The new headquarters was completed in 1957 on 280 acres of rolling farmland. The bucolic site, campus-like plan, and extensive amenities, including a full-service cafeteria and after-hours programs, reflected a desire to offer a highly civilised and satisfying office environment to Connecticut General employees. The building set new standards for flexible space planning, efficiency of operation, economy of construction methods, maintenance programs, and planning for future expansion.
As per SOM’s documentation above, the General Life Insurance HQ in Connecticut provided modern amenity to the office worker with mind to increasing utility through heightened workplace satisfication. It is open plan, reprogrammable and demonstrated a carefulness with landscape integration and surrounds. The furnishings, too, were spectacular with this image offering a view into the Board of Directors’ conference room as furnished by Knoll.