In designing a dispatch center that could evolve with the client's growing needs, the Watson team was excited to take on the task of balancing current requirements with future expansion. The project involved creating a functional, comfortable space for dispatchers while keeping an eye on future staffing, as the client planned to add more consoles in the coming years.
Project At A Glace
- Public Safety Facility
- New construction
- 9 Current positions
- 3 future positions
- Primary Challenges: Planning for staffing growth, designing an administration area, creating a comfortable telecommunicator environment, limited budget
The Request
The client was in the process of building their new facility and they knew what their current needs and budget fit for staffing but anticipated adding more telecommunicator positions in the future. Additionally, they wanted to enhance telecommunicator comfort at each console and create a workspace that fostered team collaboration in the center of the room. The collaborative administration work area would allow team members to perform administrative tasks away from their consoles.
Our approach was highly collaborative, with several meetings and multiple design iterations between the project team and the client. By understanding the client’s budget constraints and future expansion plans, the design team worked through multiple layouts to show how the room could evolve over time, integrating with the current layout.
The Solution
We embraced the idea that the furniture would expand to integrate three future console positions for staffing. Our account manager provided floor plans showing what the room would look like initially and how it would look with the additions. These mockups enabled the customer to plan electrical and flooring to accommodate the future consoles.
The central administration area was designed to be a functional space where two people could work simultaneously on reports or administrative duties. The team placed a 6 ½ ft long, fixed-height desk complemented by a storage area with a markerboard surface to promote brainstorming and collaboration.
The final solution included nine Mercury Pro Consoles, along with three Mercury Standard Consoles, scaling to the needs of each position. The consoles were tailored with features like dual cup holders, pencil drawers, and uplit etched acrylic panels that maximized comfort and improved the end-user experience while ensuring the consoles were visually appealing and functional. These branded acrylic panels add a unique, professional look to the space, enhancing team pride.
The Results
In the end, the customer was over the moon about the hand-in-hand process of working with the Watson team. The outcome, particularly the administration workspace, achieved exactly what they needed to encourage team collaboration. They appreciated the strategic planning we provided, allowing them to visualize and build a space that could adapt to their future. The added comforts, like cup holders and branded panels, gave the team a sense of ownership and pride in their workspace.
Products Used
- 9 Mercury Pro consoles
- 3 Mercury Standard consoles
- Console Accessories, including dual cup holders, pencil drawers, etched acrylic, and status lights
- Shared Storage
- Fixed Height Administration Desks
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