When a County Sheriff’s Department needed to transform its small dispatch telecommunications room, they turned to Watson. With tight space constraints and a need for flexibility, our team delivered a custom design that maximized space efficiency. From creating a supervisor station to incorporating flexible storage, this project hit the mark for the supervisors' ideal workspace.
Project At A Glace
- County Sheriff’s Department
- 500 sq ft dispatch telecommunications room
- 83,000 sq building
- 5 Positions
- Primary Challenges: Space constraints, custom supervisors’ station needs, and flexible storage solutions
The Request
The customer needed a supervisor station that maximized workspace, 4 dispatch consoles, and additional storage, all in a 500 sq ft “L” shaped room. The supervisor station couldn’t overcrowd the room or violate ADA compliance and needed to provide more space to work. They wanted the supervisor’s area to feel like its own office, while still being part of the dispatch room. Additionally, the station had to remain flexible and functional to adapt to the team’s day-to-day needs.
We began with an in-depth analysis of the room’s layout to get a clear understanding of the customer’s requirements. The room’s small size and awkward shape meant every piece of furniture had to be multifunctional and strategically placed. Fitting the supervisor station in the right location, allowing for a large work surface with plenty of places to store things, is what would make this project successful.
The Solution
Our account manager evaluated the types of products that would fit the room’s dimensions. Opting for a function-first approach, we were able to select furniture that made the most of the space, while creating a cohesive and functional workstation. We combined a Mercury Pro console with two fixed-height administration desks to form a U-shaped station that maximized the corner of the room. To ensure no blank walls were left, we designed the workstation to fill every bit of available space, creating a unified look that blended seamlessly with the room’s layout.
We also added mobile cabinets and personal pedestals under the desks. These pieces were on casters, allowing the customer to rearrange as needed, providing a level of flexibility crucial for a busy dispatch room.
The shared storage needs were addressed by integrating cabinets into three of the four telecommunicator consoles. Adding the cabinets to the fourth console would have interfered with hallway access, so we opted against it to maintain ADA compliance. We also introduced a mobile work island with shelving on both sides, which provided team storage and could be easily moved around the room as needed.
Leveraging the capabilities of the Mercury product line, we were able to scale the consoles to fit the size of the space, the needs of each position, the supervisors’ position, and ADA compliance. Truly showcasing the breadth of our product with the support of ancillary desks, integrated and additional storage.
The Results
The result was a cohesive supervisor station that not only met the customer’s functional needs but also enhanced the room's overall flow. The U-shaped workstation and mobile storage gave the supervisor a functional personal office space that kept them connected to the telecommunicators.
“I wanted to utilize all the space I could. They did not give any specifics on the type of storage they wanted, so I found that the mobile storage offered them the most flexibility in their room.” – Keerie, Watson Account Manager
The customer was thrilled with the remodeled space, particularly how it offered both efficiency and convenience. They appreciated how this provided a dedicated space for leadership within the broader room. This project exemplifies how thoughtful design and versatile furniture solutions can transform even the most challenging spaces into highly functional work environments.
Products Used
- 5 Mercury Pro consoles
- Work Island
- Mobile Personal Storage Pedestal
- 2 Fixed Height Administration Desks
If you're interested in seeing more examples of how we've helped other organizations achieve their workspace goals, be sure to explore our project profiles.
