Security has evolved from a reactive, standalone addition into a baseline design requirement, according to “Safety & Security in Design,” a joint research report published by Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope Inc., a vertically integrated manufacturer, fabricator and distributor of architectural hardware, glass and glazing systems, in strategic partnership with The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The nationwide study examines how architects and specifiers across diverse project sectors incorporate safety and security into project planning, design and material selection.
Rather than relying on isolated “hardened” measures, architects across all firm types are adopting multi-layered strategies that combine controlled access, visual transparency, operational awareness and advanced material selection. While K-12 leads growth expectations — with 78.7% of architects expecting security considerations in school design to increase — significant growth is also anticipated in data centers (69.2%) and healthcare facilities (64.2%) over the next three years.
“Creating safe environments requires balance. Buildings must protect occupants against physical threats while remaining warm, daylight-filled and conducive to their primary purpose,” said Mark Adamson, CEO of Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope. “As design teams navigate evolving building codes, tighter budgets and complex testing standards, our role as a technical ally is to make achieving that balance easier through transparent testing data, early collaboration and reliable system performance.”
Controlled access points lead safety design decisions across all sectors (78.0%), rising to 95.3% in K-12 education. Architects are combining entry controls with surveillance (60.0%) and visibility strategies (55.0%), driving demand for high-performance security glazing that maintains natural light and open sightlines while satisfying critical forced-entry delay requirements.
Safety integration varies significantly by building type. While education and data centers lead universal adoption, architects report tailored approaches across retail, mixed-use, and commercial spaces, balancing flow and open circulation with localized threat mitigation.
While safety expectations are rising, 36.5% of architects report challenges in evaluating performance differences between security products, emphasizing a strong need for clear, verified testing data and early manufacturer collaboration.
Product cost (62.7%) and evolving standards remain top implementation hurdles. Pragmatic design strategies, including targeted security applications and verified forced-entry assemblies, offer building owners and school districts cost-effective pathways to add layered protection within budget.
“Protecting our built environment is a shared responsibility across architects, facility owners, and manufacturers,” added Adamson. “We are proud to support the AIA in bringing these insights to light, and we remain dedicated to serving as a trusted partner in building safer, more resilient communities.”
