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Back to School – Security Building & Design Considerations for Every District

August 10, 2021
Susan Tully
Every community deserves safety in their schools. However, school districts throughout the country have faced persistent concerns over acts of violence in schools for the last four decades.  Planning and design for security considerations in schools can facilitate safe and caring learning environment for students and administrators. Thoughtful elements can honor aesthetic goals while also adding in key security features to a school.

As our country prepares to resume in person instruction this fall, Gilbane has developed an interactive video tool that can help districts ensure that key elements of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) are included in their plan without sacrificing important pedagogical and student wellness goals.

Key security elements to watch when viewing the video include:

  • Separate entrance and parking for visitors, with controlled access – allows for screening for potential intruders
  • Bollards/concrete planters provide protection from vehicles
  • Front entry is elevated, providing a vantage point from which to spot potential intruders
  • Separate entry for students with faculty/school resource officer (SRO) observation locations and security camera monitor – allows for screening for potential intruders upon entry and throughout
  • Single point of entry for visitors, with secure vestibule with impact resistant glass, to isolate potential intruders
  • Faculty offices and lounge positioned with views of student and visitor entry
  • Video intercom for entry access (to vet/screen/identify visitors)
  • Impact-resistant glass in multiple locations at front entry
  • Security cameras in multiple locations at front entry
  • Inset doorways provide protection for faculty, students and teachers while viewing hallway in the event intruder gets past all security measures at entry
  • Niches in the classroom provide a place for students and teachers to hide in the event that intruders get past all security measures at entry
  • Wide hallways with chamfered corners provide clear views for faculty and first responders CPTED (throughout)

Examples of Incorporating Security into Design

Gilbane has recently completed a K-8 school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where some of the security elements identified above have been incorporated into the design, as highlighted in the following photos.

While enhanced security has now become a way of life for students across the country, the utilization of measures shown in Gilbane’s interactive video will help to incorporate such features in a subtle yet effective manner.

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Inset doorways provide a protected view of the hallway in the event of a threat/intruder. Laminated tempered glass is impact resistant.

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Roller shades obscure the view into classrooms if needed. Niche area along the wall provides a protected hiding place for students and teachers.
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S Tully

Susan Tully

With over 34 years of experience in construction and nearly 20 years at Gilbane, Sue Tully has managed a large portfolio of projects with a concentration in the education sector. In addition to her leadership role on projects, she is Gilbane’s K-12 Education Center of Excellence leader. She serves as a resource for all K-12 education project teams by bringing lessons learned and best practices from a depth of K-12 experience across the country. Sue ensures knowledge-sharing on current trends, sustainable design practices, construction solutions, and operational issues specific to the K-12 sector. Her project involvement includes the Community College of Philadelphia, Princeton University, Rider University, Rutgers University, Trenton School District and multiple facilities for the School District of Cheltenham Township. She is currently leading construction on a new Turnkey K-8 School for the School District of Philadelphia which is being delivered under a finance, design and construction contract.
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