At the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai, design precision meets operational performance. Broadway Interiors was commissioned to create a new 10,000-square-foot Command Control Centre for the UAE’s flagship space programmes—the Emirates Mars Mission, the Lunar Mission, and the UAE Astronaut Programme.
The design brief presented a unique challenge: to create a mission-critical environment capable of supporting long-duration control operations, where teams must maintain absolute focus and composure under pressure. Every aspect of the space—from lighting and acoustics to posture and movement—needed to enable sustained performance while minimising fatigue. The result is a facility that fuses futuristic minimalism with mission-grade ergonomics, allowing people to think clearly, work comfortably, and perform at their best even in the most demanding conditions.
The solution is an environment defined by a disciplined palette of deep blues, blacks, and metallic tones—a visual language that references orbital depth while minimising glare. Galaxy-patterned carpets and ambient lighting reinforce the cosmic theme without compromising clarity, while acoustically treated surfaces ensure communication remains sharp and uninterrupted. Every material decision, from brushed metal to dark marble, was made in service of concentration and endurance.
Ergonomics was integrated into the design from the outset. Humanscale’s Freedom and Liberty chairs were selected as essential operational tools—interfaces between people and mission control systems. Their self-adjusting reclines, synchronised armrests, and finishes aligned perfectly with Broadway Interiors’ functional and design ethos. During prototyping, the chairs were used to validate sightlines and console spacing across the 24-person control room, demonstrating that spatial design and ergonomic engineering can operate as a single system.
“The palette and textures were inspired by the vastness and precision of galaxies,” says Chris Barnes, Founder and Creative Director at Broadway Interiors. “But the deeper goal was to design a workspace that supports human concentration—reducing strain, enhancing clarity, and sustaining performance.”
That investment in comfort yields measurable outcomes. According to Rashed Bilal Al Mas, Senior Manager at MBRSC, “The ergonomic solutions have made a clear difference in reducing fatigue and supporting better posture throughout long hours. This has enhanced overall productivity and well-being, helping the team maintain optimal performance during demanding tasks.”
Recognised with Best Public Service Interior at the 2025 International Property Awards and Best Office Design at the 2025 CID Awards, the Command Control Centre sets a new standard for environments where endurance and precision are inseparable.
For Humanscale, the project underscores a shared philosophy with Broadway Interiors: that true innovation begins with the human body. In mission-critical environments such as Earth, performance depends on comfort, movement, and focus. By embedding ergonomics into the architecture of MBRSC’s Command Control Centre, Humanscale helps ensure that the people exploring the universe can work at their best—today and in every mission ahead.
“Ergonomics is often invisible, but it’s what allows people to perform at their best,” says Frazer Butcher, Managing Director for MENA at Humanscale. “At MBRSC, the principle comes to life —thoughtful design and effortless comfort working in perfect harmony, empowering precision at every moment.”
