Designing for What Comes Next

Designing a new center that combines the dispatch room, EOC, and administration offices requires careful planning, collaboration, and attention to detail. This center was building out an entirely new facility, with multiple areas being developed over the next two years, and wanted every space to feel connected.

Even though the furniture and fixtures would be purchased in phases, our team designed all areas simultaneously to ensure every product fit their needs, while creating a cohesive look and feel across the entire building. The result is a forward-thinking, flexible design that supports daily operations today and positions the center for seamless growth tomorrow.

Unique Challenges

Planning budgets for both current and future needs
Dividing up space to support multiple functions: dispatch, EOC, and general offices
Customer was unsure of the best use of every space
Creating a cohesive design for an expansive, multi-department center

Process

This project involved designing a brand-new facility that would unite the dispatch room, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and general office areas under one roof. With multiple phases planned over the next two years, the customer wanted every space to feel connected, even though each would be built and furnished at different times.

Our team designed all spaces simultaneously to ensure consistency, cohesion, and scalability. Knowing dispatch operations were growing, we developed layouts that supported current staffing while planning for future expansion, including multiple options to accommodate up to 24 positions in the dispatch room.

For the general offices, the customer shared a CAD file with room dimensions and intended functions. We used that as a foundation to plan every space, from individual offices to shared areas. The EOC required flexibility, so we designed mobile, power-integrated workstations that could be easily reconfigured to support both emergency operations and training sessions.

Solution

We developed three distinct design plans – one for each major area – while ensuring every space connected visually and functionally. The expanded dispatch room included variations for future growth, giving the customer flexibility as staffing needs evolve.

Each office layout was scaled to fit its purpose while maintaining a consistent look throughout the center. We also enhanced the overall environment by adding comfort and collaboration features, like sofas in select offices, additional storage, and café-style tables, to encourage connection and create a welcoming atmosphere.

For the meeting room, our team proposed a creative, reconfigurable table design that could transform from one large table into multiple smaller configurations for classroom or training setups.

Customer Response

The customer appreciated the thoughtful planning that went into every detail, especially the added features they hadn’t initially considered, like in-office meeting tables, flexible seating, and reconfigurable workstations.

They also loved the cohesive design across all departments and the ability to source everything from a single provider. Simplified installation, centralized warranty management, and a unified look made Watson feel like a true one-stop-shop, delivering a space that works beautifully today and is ready for tomorrow.