Description:
The General Accident Life Headquarters are situated adjacent Lendal Bridge on the banks over the river Ouse, opposite the 13th century Guild Hall. This site, containing archaeological remains, was previously occupied by industrial buildings and subject to a wide range of complex planning constraints. General Accident Life Developments Ltd. in consultation with the Royal Fine Arts Commission and Local Planning Authority invited three prominent architects to prepare designs for their new headquarters building. The winning design by Hurd Rolland Partnership is a composition in fine grained magnesium limestone, taking for its inspiration the rich limestone detailing of the mediaeval city. Rising from the riverside with tumbling pitched roofs in green slate and roof terraces overlooking the city , it provides accommodation for some 800 staff. As the River Ouse is prone to regular flooding the lower parts of the building were designed as a water-tight envelope with all openings fitted with secondary marine doors.