LIBERTYVILLE, Ill.—DLR Group and Wold Architects and Engineers have teamed up to help deliver the brand-new Regional Operations & Communications (ROC) Facility in Lake County, Ill.
The 37,400-square-foot complex combines emergency management, 911 dispatch and operations into a singular resilient, net-zero-ready facility, elevating the way agencies communicate during the most crucial moments imaginable. The facility is constructed to resist 250 mph winds, provide shelter and operate smoothly even during the most challenging conditions.
Lake County— with a consortium of 20 local emergency dispatch partners—envisioned a single, multi-agency emergency communications center to best serve its communities. DLR Group’s design for the new Regional Operations & Communications Facility consolidates the county’s 911 Dispatch, Emergency Operations Center, and Emergency Management Agency offices to improve service delivery with better reliability, efficiency and transparency. Seamless communication between agencies during public safety occurrences boosts response times, service delivery and collaboration during crucial activations.
The design optimizes light and views despite being a highly secure emergency facility, including clerestory windows that leverage daylight for stress alleviation—yet still prioritizes functionality in the screen-heavy operations environment. Deep recesses around the windows reduce the scale of the space, adding an ambience of warmth and comfort.
Designed for net-zero energy, the ROC monitors real-time solar and geothermal energy output and energy usage. Malleable workspaces created for collaboration, training and staff education enhance efficiency and preparedness. An outdoor patio, walking path and rain garden with native plantings are ideal spaces for staff to decompress. And an interior courtyard offers an all-season space for facility users to meet, have lunch, or just take a break.
DLR Group provided programming, architecture, interior space planning, and construction documentation as associate design architect in partnership with Wold Architects, the Architect of Record.
