Tresco Supporting Control Room Architects
A Partnership for Innovative Design Solutions
Crafting an efficient and ergonomic control room is an intricate blend of understanding operational needs, seamlessly integrating technology, and mastering architectural design. This article delves into the vital steps that control room architects must navigate to forge spaces that are not only functional but also offer the utmost comfort for operators. It further illuminates how Tresco plays a pivotal role in this journey, providing expert guidance and tailored solutions to ensure the design process is as smooth and effective as possible.
Join us in exploring how Tresco supports architects with these essential steps
1. Consultation and Requirements
Architects initiate the design process by thoroughly reviewing the unique scopes and specific needs of each project. This first step encompasses detailed discussions with stakeholders about various operational aspects, including the number of operators, the type and quantity of equipment required, and any other unique or special requirements that the project demands.
These conversations are critical to develop a clear understanding of the functional and spatial needs of the control room, ensuring that every aspect of the design is tailored to meet the precise demands of the operation and its personnel. By gaining a comprehensive insight into these elements, architects lay a solid foundation for crafting control rooms that are not only efficient and effective but also align perfectly with the client’s objectives and expectations.
Underestimating monitor real estate is a trend we have observed in the industry. Screen sizing and layout play pivotal roles in shaping an operator’s workflow. An inappropriate monitor layout can cause unnecessary distractions and lead to uncomfortable viewing angles, which often impacts the efficiency and comfort of the user. Architects need to give due importance to screen layout and sizing, as these are not just aesthetic choices but functional elements that influence user experience and productivity.
2. Site Analysis and Assessment
After conducting an initial assessment, the next crucial step in the process is to carry out a thorough site visit. This involves a meticulous evaluation of the location, considering all the spatial constraints, such as the size, shape, and layout of the site.
It is also crucial to review the operational workflow and internal dynamics of the control room as they can provide key information necessary to ensure a smooth integration of the final development into the 24/7 operation. This comprehensive site visit can have different approaches depending if the work requires a retrofit or a new build, and altogether is the foundation for a successful outcome of the project.
How Tresco provides support at these stages:
In these initial phases, Tresco’s involvement is as minimal or as large as you might require it, our main objective is to support you with comprehensive information and training on the intricacies of control room consoles and their seamless integration with mission-critical operations. Arming you with the right toolkit and understanding of ergonomic characteristics, console functionalities, technical jargon, and much more, for you to demonstrate these features to your clients with ease and confidence.
3. Conceptual Design
In the next step of a control room development project, architects take on the task of developing concepts that focus on various elements such as layout, space utilization, technological integration, ergonomics, cable management and routing, HVAC systems, plumbing and much more.
User-centred attributes of the console like ergonomics need to be considered during these initial phases, they are vital for control room workstations, optimizing sight lines, acoustics, and operator comfort to increase focus and alertness throughout. Proper sight line alignment reduces neck strain, while effective acoustic design minimizes noise and enhances communication. Comfort is prioritized through ergonomic furniture and a layout that supports easy movement, appropriate temperature, and optimal lighting.
Architects work diligently to bring these concepts and ideas to life by creating preliminary sketches or 3D models that help them visualize the project in more detail. By paying close attention to these items, architects can ensure that the final product is functional, safe, and well-integrated into their client’s operational process.
How Tresco provides support at this stage:
Our focus here is to provide readily available models and building blocks of our proprietary consoles, allowing architects to design and build to their full creative potential. All while having the assurance that said models are fully documented, compliant and ready for real-world development and manufacturing.
It is also relevant to mention that we adhere to ISO 11064 and ANSI/HFES 100 ergonomic standards in our console designs. This includes ensuring the ergonomic positioning of monitors, adjustable console components for varying work settings throughout the day, and critical equipment arrangement that facilitates a comfortable interaction with technology. We customize our consoles to meet each client’s unique operational needs, ensuring an ergonomic solution that enhances efficiency and operator well-being.
Failing to consider all the ergonomic aspects for the control room consoles can lead to several cascading afflictions on the operators affecting their productivity and focus. By partnering with Tresco, architects can confidently focus on designing and presenting their control room projects, knowing that an essential element of their plan, like ergonomics, is expertly taken care of.
Our support includes but is not limited to technical specifications and documentation, CAD Drawings, fully functional Revit Families, brochures that explain or showcase console features, and console and control room renders.
4. Stakeholder Review and Feedback
When it comes to presenting new concepts to clients, it’s essential to gather customer input and make adjustments accordingly. This step is critical in ensuring that the final product aligns with the client’s expectations and meets their needs. By listening to their unique requirements, you can gain valuable insights into what they truly want and need, which can help you refine your ideas and create a better result. It’s important to approach this process with an open mind and a willingness to collaborate, as it can often lead to a more successful outcome for everyone involved.
For those reasons it becomes critical to revisit and update initial assessments as the project evolves, not doing this can lead to sponsors and investors failing to understand the need for the changes of the project altogether, we will support you in this open and collaborative process with a trained, certified, and steeped team of experts ready at a moments notice to provide documentation, drafts, assets and more for you to succeed at your project.
How Tresco provides support at this stage:
At Tresco, we recognize the dynamic nature of project development, particularly the iterative process of validating critical features and making key decisions. To facilitate this, our expert team remains on standby, prepared to provide comprehensive support at every turn. Whether it’s supplying essential documents, offering expert insights, or creating customized assets, we’re committed to ensuring your project not only meets but exceeds expectations.
5. Detailed Design and Planning
In this critical phase, architects meticulously develop comprehensive architectural plans, focusing on selecting materials and finishes that ensure durability, aesthetics, and practicality in the control room environment, culminating the design stages. They collaborate closely with engineers to ensure proper integration of technical systems like advanced HVAC, electrical, and security networks into the design.
In this stage architects may model the consoles themselves based on gathered measurements to visualize them on their designs, this might lead to incongruences with the final product and even worse lead to inaccurate spaces for the end users, you can easily skip this mistake by utilizing our tried and tested console models ensuring your designs are supported by a real, manufacturing ready product.
How Tresco provides support at this stage:
Tresco steps in to bring these concepts to life by providing, photo-realistic renderings, technical specifications, finish material samples, detailed drawings, models, and more, we equip architects with the necessary tools to get hands-on with the design process. This stage allows you to customize and construct your unique control room vision in a tangible form, including the integration of our state-of-the-art Tresco consoles ensuring a smooth transition from concept to reality, that can be properly incorporated into your deliverable packages for your end user.
6. Client Approval
Obtaining final client approval is a crucial next step in the control room design process. This phase involves presenting the finalized design to the client, considering their unique vision of the room, ergonomic requirements of both the workspace and the consoles as well as additional technical and functional must-haves, critical for the client’s operational process.
The goal is to ensure that every aspect of the design aligns with the client’s vision and operational requirements. This stage often includes a comprehensive review of the project, addressing any last-minute adjustments or clarifications to ensure that the client is fully satisfied with the proposed solution.
7. Construction Oversight, Quality Control, Sign Off & Handover
During the construction phase, architects play a pivotal role in overseeing the process to ensure that every detail aligns with the agreed-upon design specifications.
This collaborative effort with construction teams is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the design and ensuring that the final build reflects the envisioned concept.
An element that could be easily forgotten sometimes is that processes and operations can evolve rapidly and neglecting future growth and flexibility can lead to a control room design that might become obsolete within a couple of years, that is why it is so critical to consider customizable and interchangeable consoles that can be modified through time with accessories to expand its functionality.
How Tresco provides support at these stages:
At Tresco, our adherence to the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Standard underscores our dedication to maintaining consistent quality and achieving customer satisfaction at every project milestone. This certification is more than just a credential; it’s a testament to our commitment to excellence in all facets of our work.
Moreover, our trained and certified team of installers brings an added layer of assurance to the project. They specialize in the precise installation, fit, and finish of control room consoles, ensuring that each unit is seamlessly integrated into the control room environment. Their expertise guarantees that the final setup has the fit and finish our clients expect in their control rooms.
The final handover of the control room marks the culmination of a process characterized by meticulous planning, collaborative efforts, and an unwavering focus on quality and functionality. By providing detailed documentation and ensuring a rigorous final inspection, we guarantee that the control room is not only a reflection of superior design and craftsmanship but also a testament to Tresco’s dedication to delivering exceptional control room consoles.
Key Takeaways from Our Design Journey
This workflow provides a sneak peek into the process of designing efficient, effective, and user-friendly control rooms. By partnering with Tresco, architects leverage our expertise in custom-designed workstations, simplify their work process with our tools and assets, and above all acquire state-of-the-art, durable, reliable, 24/7-ready control room consoles ensuring exceptional results for their clients, every time.
At Tresco, we believe that the key to a successful control room project is collaboration. By working closely with our clients and partners, we can deliver custom control room consoles that meet their specific needs and exceed their expectations. From the earliest design draft, through the development and installation process, to future upgrades, Tresco is dedicated to bringing your innovative concepts to life, adapting seamlessly to the ever-changing landscape of control room operations.
Are you in the process of designing a control room for a mission-critical operation?
We invite you to leverage our expertise and products. Our custom control room consoles are designed to enhance the performance and comfort of operators while also providing an ergonomic and functional workspace.