You can think of a control room as the nerve center of your operation—where timely decision-making and clear communication all come together to keep everything running smoothly. From public safety departments to air traffic control towers and utility operations, these environments need to function without a hitch to ensure rapid response and minimize risk.
That’s why the importance of a thoughtful control room design can’t be understated. Getting the layout and equipment right is key to supporting fast-moving teams, especially in round-the-clock environments.
If you’re planning a new control room or upgrading an existing one, Saraval Industries understands why it’s essential to have a well-designed and functioning control room. We work with our clients to create a space that meets their needs and helps them achieve their goals.
If you would like to know more about control room design for your facility, this guide gives some helpful tips on building one of the best.
Understanding Control Room Design
Whether you are building a control room for the first time or improving an existing one, every project comes with a lot of moving parts. Understanding the purpose of the space—and the design factors that directly influence performance—is crucial before finalizing your layout, technology, or furniture plans.
The sections below cover what a control room is, its core operational goals, and the foundational design principles every organization should prioritize.
What is a Control Room?
A control room is a centralized space where teams oversee operations, monitor key systems, and make fast, informed decisions. While each control room looks different, they all serve the same purpose: keeping people and processes running safely and efficiently. This space can include emergency services, air traffic control centers, manufacturing plants, or call centers.
Core Objectives: Monitoring, Safety, and Responsiveness
Every control room is built around three primary goals: keeping a close eye on data systems, ensuring the safety of both people and assets, and enabling teams to respond quickly when something goes wrong. To meet these goals, operators need constant access to real-time information and an environment that helps them work without unnecessary distractions or delays
Smart Design Starts with the Right Priorities
An effective control room is shaped around how operators move and communicate. It also needs a design that responds well under pressure.
You can start your design with practical choices to minimize eye and hand strain. For example, you can implement simple changes like placing monitors at the right height or investing in accessories like ergonomic mice and keyboards.
Additionally, ergonomic furniture plays a big role here. Control room consoles should adjust to fit different users and various shift demands. Chairs need to support posture during long hours without sacrificing comfort. Even the space between stations affects how well teams stay focused and avoid distractions.
Environmental factors matter too. If the room runs hot or sound bounces around, it makes it harder to stay alert. Proper airflow, balanced acoustics, soundproofing, and flexible lighting are all adjustments you can make to keep focus sharp and fatigue low across all shifts.
Planning the Layout
Choosing the right type of floor plan style will help optimize workflow and provide a safe, organized space for users. The ideal layout should reflect how your team communicates, how equipment is accessed, and how people move throughout the room. Consider the following popular layout styles and key layout tips to help guide your control room planning:
Popular Layout Styles
- U-Shape: Promotes collaboration and gives every operator a clear view of shared video walls or main displays. They are often used in emergency response centers or utility operations.
- Linear/ Row-Based: Supports one-directional workflows where individual operators monitor specific feeds or systems. This style is best for traffic control, surveillance, or call centers.
- Grid: This layout uses a structured pattern of rows and columns, similar to a spreadsheet. It’s ideal for environments where operators need to monitor large amounts of data in a uniform, predictable format.
- Cluster: In a cluster setup, consoles or displays are grouped based on functional roles or related tasks. Cluster arrangements encourage collaboration between operators who need to share information frequently and focus on interconnected systems.
Key Layout Tips
Once you’ve chosen a layout style, it’s important to focus on design details that support daily operations. Small adjustments like the following can make a huge difference in how your team uses the space to their advantage:
- Leave room to move. Walkways and workspaces need to have enough clearance for factors like foot traffic, safe movement, and emergency egress. This isn’t just good practice—it’s an OSHA requirement. Proper spacing also reduces bottlenecks and keeps exits accessible at all times.
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- Keep essential equipment within reach. Operators don’t need to stretch or twist to do their jobs. Positioning high-use tools and devices where operators can access them easily from a seating or standing position is part of good work measurement techniques and ergonomics.
- Avoid glare and eye strain. Natural light can wash out display screens and lead to eye strain. Whenever possible, position consoles and monitors away from direct sunlight. Also, adding window treatments can control brightness.
- Allow space for airflow. Heat can rapidly accumulate around consoles, server racks, and dense equipment areas. Keep a buffer zone around them so ventilation can prevent heat buildup.
- Follow ADA and safety standards: Aisles should accommodate wheelchairs, and workstations and must be usable by operators of all abilities. Following the Americans with Disabilities Act helps make the space usable and navigable for a wide range of people.
- Build with broader safety standards in mind. Beyond ADA, consider industry specific regulations like ISO 11064, which outlines best practices for ergonomic control room design. The standard includes guidance on room layout, workstation dimensions, and environmental factors.
Pro Tip: Schedule a consultation with Saraval—we’ve worked with every major control room layout and stay up to date with current safety standards and regulations like ISO 11064 and the ADA.
Choosing the Right Control Room Furniture
Furniture choices should reflect the mission-critical and non-stop nature of control room work. That’s why ergonomic, adjustable consoles and desks are essential. Smart choices like sit-stand consoles give users the flexibility to shift between sitting and standing, helping them stay comfortable during grueling 24/7 operations.
Furthermore, choose a control room console desk that’s durable and built to support tech integration. Features like equipment racks, monitor arms, and accessible power and data ports increase productivity by keeping devices organized and reducing time spent managing connections.
Many control console models can be customized to accommodate evolving hardware setups or specialized equipment. Internal cable raceways and hidden channels help reduce clutter and minimize tripping hazards.
To find options that match your layout and technical needs, explore Saraval’s wide selection of used console desk inventory on our website.
Integrating Equipment & Technology
Integrating the right equipment and technology is what fine tunes a functional space into a truly efficient control room. To accomplish this, start with video wall integration.
Operators often work long shifts and need clear sight lines to see critical data. Displays must be mounted at the right heights and angles to minimize neck and eye strain and provide consistent visibility across the room.
From there, consider how workstation hardware and display configurations support each operator’s specific role. The setup should allow for fast access to information and tools without adding any hassles. HVAC systems should be aligned with both operator comfort and equipment cooling needs.
And don’t overlook acoustics—a distracting alert tone, poorly placed speaker, or even the hubbub of a foot tour passing by can disrupt concentration at a critical moment.
Finally, real-time data visualization should be designed for speed and clarity. Use consistent color-coding, emphasize priority metrics, and avoid screen clutter so technicians can tell what’s happening at a glance.
Ensuring Operator Comfort & Efficiency
An operator’s performance often depends on how well the space supports posture, movement, and short periods of mental reset. To answer these demands, several elements should be considered in both the design and daily function of the control room.
That includes the control room itself as well as the surrounding environment. Supporting spaces like breakrooms, briefing areas, offices, and conference rooms also contribute to a more balanced and functional workplace.
Prioritizing Ergonomics for Operator Well-Being
As you design your control room, ergonomics should be at the forefront and built into every aspect of the workstation. Whether an operator is on a quick rotation or is covering extended hours, everything from ergonomic control room furniture and monitors to input devices should support natural movement and reduce physical stress. Conduct ergonomic analyses periodically to identify comfort points and adjust furniture and equipment.
Controlling Lighting and Temperature for Better Focus
Incremental workplace changes can have a big impact on mental clarity. Glare-reducing monitor hoods, dimmable task lights, and zoned temperature controls give operators flexibility to adapt their immediate workspace without affecting nearby stations. These features help maintain consistent focus.
Using Task Zoning for Operator Workflow Optimization
Task zoning creates defined areas for specific activities—like dispatch, monitoring or team coordination—so operators aren’t forced to jump between mismatched tools or roles. A well-zoned control room reduces wasted movement and helps streamline task-switching, especially during high-pressure scenarios or shift transactions.
Designing Break Areas That Support 24/7 Operations
Break rooms that are close to the action—but separate enough to offer peace and quiet—can prevent burnout and allow operators a chance to decompress before returning to critical tasks. Break area amenities like soft lighting and ergonomic seating can also help support focus and recovery.
Where Office and Conference Furniture Still Fits
Not every room requires furniture that’s designed to meet mission-critical environments. In spaces like briefing rooms, planning areas, and administrative offices—the demands are lighter— but comfort and professionalism still matter. These areas can still benefit from well-designed seating and work tables that support short-term use without the rugged 24/7 operations design of a control room console.
Saraval’s used office and conference room furniture offers ergonomic support at lower cost—ideal for these lighter-use zones surrounding the main control room.
Control Room Use Case Examples
While every control room shares core needs like clear visibility, fast access to systems, and ergonomic workstations, specific setups vary by industry. Here are a few use case examples from industries that Saraval serves:
- In energy and utilities, control rooms manage power grids, water treatment plants, and distribution systems where real-time monitoring and rapid-fire decisions are vital.
- Transportation and logistics facilities rely on control rooms to track routes, visualize supply chain activity, oversee fleet movement, and coordinate traffic flow.
- For emergency services, layouts must support fast communication, dispatch efficiency, and high-stress decision-making.
- In corporate security, control rooms are designed to monitor facilities, review camera feeds, and respond to threats without delay.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even a well-equipped control room can fall short if certain planning mistakes aren’t addressed early on. A few common pitfalls to watch out for in a control room setup include:
- Overloading operators with screens: Too many displays can lead to eye strain and slower response times. Instead, prioritize essential data and use shared video walls for team visibility.
- Ignoring future expansion: Designing with limited flexibility can limit adaptability. Leave space for additional consoles or tech upgrades as needs evolve.
- Poor sightlines and lighting: Obstructed views and glare can reduce situational awareness. Aim for clear monitor placement and adjustable, low-glare lighting.
- Not consulting experienced vendors: Skipping expert input when designing a control room can lead to costly redesigns. To avoid this, work with specialists like Saraval Industries who understand control room standards, space planning, and long-term functionality.
Work With Saraval Industries
Saraval draws on over 30 years of experience to support clients across energy, transit, emergency response, finance, and other demanding sectors. Whether you’re furnishing a new operations center or upgrading an existing layout, we help tailor control rooms to meet your industry-specific demands.
We offer custom consultations, holistic design support, and a wide range of new and used technical furniture solutions for control rooms.