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TOBIN | PARNES UNVEILS NEW S. USA CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER
Unique Design Blends Corporate Office Space With Cutting-Edge Retail Environment
New York, NY (December 8, 2005) – Award winning design firm, Tobin | Parnes Design Enterprises, is pleased to announce the completion of the S. USA Chicago Creative Marketing and Sales Offices and the adjoining S. USA Chicago Customer Service Center. Completed in June 2005, both spaces represent over 17,000 sq. feet of innovative design technology.
S.USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc., a financial services company licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. By converting to a mutual company in 1999, S.USA has become a more flexible and entrepreneurial player in the insurance industry, offering a diverse line of products as well as expanding into additional geographic markets throughout the United States. The company felt they required a stunning and innovative design for their new Chicago headquarters that would fully capture the spirit of their present corporate culture.
“We are extremely pleased and proud with the design of our new Marketing and Sales headquarters and our Customer Center in Chicago,” said Michael Lane, SBLI USA senior vice president, Real Estate and Customer Centers. “The team at Tobin and Parnes worked diligently with S.USA to conceptualize an innovative and intriguing design that would best represent the company as we continue our national expansion. The result of our Chicago project exceeded all my expectations and has now provided the company with a strong physical presence for our Midwest markets.”
To address the company’s need for a warmer, more inviting office environment, Tobin | Parnes took a close look at how S. USA employees spend their time at work. By analyzing their daily flow patterns and work routine, the designers were able to create a space that was both fully functional and aesthetically magnificent. “People are spending more time in the office—and office designs can encourage certain types of behavior and communication” said Carol Tobin, a principal at Tobin | Parnes. “Interaction, collaboration and work performance can be enhanced. As a full-service firm, we first look to fully understand and analyze the needs of our clients. We take the time to learn how they work. We become their right arm. With this project, we’ve used all of the tools and research available to us to create a physical environment that redefines what an office space can become.”
This sense of a living/working hybrid environment is reflected in many of the design choices undertaken by Tobin | Parnes for the new S. USA Chicago Sales and Marketing Offices. One need only to sit in the “meditation room”, an open, airy space that offers employees an area for quiet reflection during their hectic day, to understand the depth of client research that went into this project. By avoiding the typical “cube farm” approach of many corporate workspaces, and selecting colors, fixtures, and furnishings more often found in a modern living environment, Tobin | Parnes was able to create a truly unique headquarters for S. USA.
“This project posed some unique challenges in that we needed to develop a space that was equally suitable for many different functions other than day-to-day office activities,” said Andrea Dibner, project designer for Tobin | Parnes. “The end result is an office environment that can be utilized for training, sales launches, press conferences and board meetings, while still retaining a refined, custom-look.”
Dibner noted that the office space needs to be able to adapt to S. USA’s current and future needs as they plan their expansion throughout the U.S. Utilization of movable walls throughout the design allows for maximum flexibility and potential future growth. Tobin | Parnes also integrated state of the art technology systems in all areas, including the ability to hold teleconferences in each one of the locations many conference rooms.
In addition to the new corporate headquarters, Tobin | Parnes also designed the S. USA Chicago Customer Service Center and Midwest Headquarters —their third domestic location sharing the same innovative layout. ”Through a collaborative effort with S. USA, we have created an innovative solution to their strategic marketing plan by developing a new approach to the marketing and sales of life insurance and financial products,” noted Josh Sherman, project designer for Tobin | Parnes. The 2,000 sq. foot retail space features beautiful circular consultation pods where visitors can meet with financial planners and discuss the products that S. USA can offer that will help enable them to secure their families future. These pods, are well lit from above by circular shaped, acoustically treated canopies, that help to provide privacy for their customers. Additionally, self-service kiosks provide an opportunity for visitors to work with ease at eye-level, state-of-the-art computers to obtain the information they need to get started with new policies or determine the status of existing ones. These kiosks provide ample counter surface to take notes or review product brochures. Similar to the rest of the interior, they feature inviting bright SBLI branding accent colors and warm wood surfaces from the luxurious maple veneers used throughout. Tobin | Parnes has designed similar S. USA Customer Service Centers in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Buffalo, New York. To learn more, visit www.tobinparnes.com/pressroom.htm
About Tobin | Parnes Design Enterprises
Tobin | Parnes Design Enterprises is a full-service design firm dedicated to providing outstanding design solutions for a broad range of clients on an a highly individualized basis. Examples of properties that have benefited from Tobin | Parnes' design solutions include Michael K, Mazama Capitol Management, Parker Jewish Institute, Carmine’s Restaurant – NYC, The Paramount Building – NYC, World Wrestling Entertainment, Floris of London, Lancôme, Southampton Inn, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Episode International, Mother’s Work, Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, The Riese Organization, Wendy’s and more. Tobin | Parnes has also restored numerous Landmark buildings throughout New York.
About S. USA
SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. is a financial services company that is committed to value-conscious consumers. The Company is dedicated to building lifelong relationships with customers and empowering them with the education and tools they need to take control of their financial destinies. SBLI USA and its subsidiaries are licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. With more than $17 billion of insurance in force, $1.5 billion in assets, $120 million in surplus capital, 250 employees and approximately 400,000 customers, the Company is committed to offering affordable, flexible and easy-to-access products through a variety of integrated channels, including direct mail, telemarketing, a bilingual Web site, licensed agents, and new Customer Centers, as it expands nationally.
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