The AIA has just released "Building Security Through Design: A Primer for Architects, Design Professionals, and Their Clients" designed for those who want to gain an overall big-picture view of security in buildings and the environment. The 24-page booklet, which has been endorsed by the American Society for Industrial Security, International Facility Management Association, and National Institute of Building Sciences, is available at a nominal price from local AIA components.

The booklet, written by Joseph A. Demkin, AIA, benefited from expertise generously shared by numerous architects, engineers, and security consultants. It covers broad issues of security that include:
1. Designing to respond to clients' judgments of threats and perceived risk
2. The preeminent need to design in security from the outset of a project
3. The uniqueness of security assessment for buildings under high threat, which requires specialized skills
4. Differences in approaches, strategies, and opportunities for security in new versus existing buildings
5. The combination of factors—from context to financial constraints—that must be considered in tandem to achieve desired results.

The primer also provides basic definition and explanation of common security responses, including the "layering" concept (for providing concentric rings of security), building hardening, and biochemical protection. It presents charts for weighing physical, technological, and organizational security opportunities as well as criteria for finding a good security consultant.

Although not the final word on the complex topic of security design, the booklet offers an excellent beginning for architects. "Building Security Through Design: A Primer" ends with a resources section spelling out organizations and publications for further research. It also might offer that first step toward assuaging clients' fears about building security.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.