A concerning incident unfolded at the Parliament House on December 13th.  It coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 attacks, as two individuals disrupted an ongoing winter session in the building. What happened exactly? And could we as designers have done something about a breach like this? Let's unpack it all -

What actually happened?

Image Credit: via Indian Express

Two random young men ran into an parliamentary session with smoke canisters, screaming slogans. How did something like this happen in one of the most impregnable fortresses of modern India? Until we get answers from the government's committee (setup to understand what caused the incident), we can only guess. Here's what we know so far -

The intruders got through all the stages of security - three layers involving frisking, metal deduction, carry-on deposit, and what not.

What could have gone wrong? Design-wise:

Image Credit: Author

The specifics of the incident are still under investigation, but we can analyze the Parliament complex. High perimeter walls, guarded gates, and CCTV cameras seem like a fortress, right? But here's the thing though -

Perimeter walls can become obstacles, not deterrents. They create blind spots, making it harder for guards to see potential threats.

Guarded gates can become choke points. If a large crowd surges, it can overwhelm security personnel. (plus, the security personnel were less and the footfall of visitors was more, according to news reports)

CCTV cameras are only as good as the humans monitoring them. If attention is elsewhere, critical moments can be missed.

These factors, combined with the determination and agility of the young protestors, highlight the limitations of relying solely on physical barriers.

Here are 3 things to keep in mind while designing high-security buildings:

Image Credit: Author

You can design for safety and security. Such designs are not heavily dependent on surveillance and man made interventions alone. 

1. Think of  CPTED in your conceptual stage:

We cannot talk about designing for safety and not talk about Jane Jacobs. For those of you who do not know her - she was an activist and journalist who changed the way we think about our cities, forever! And get this; she wasn't even a planner or an architect. But she paved the way to CPTED principles, which help us design for safety and security.

In her book the Death and life of great American cities, she talks about concepts that can bring positive changes to our cities. And none of it was rocket science; she was just a great observer. One of the concepts she talks about is 'Eyes on the street' - A bustling street with active storefronts, residents on balconies, and people using the space naturally creates a sense of informal surveillance, deterring criminal activity.

CPTED stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and it's all about creating safer communities and cities. These principles include (but are not limited to):

1. Let’s go back to the eyes on the street concept: Picture a lively street lined with cafes and shops. Residents coming in, shopkeepers going out. Copenhagen, Denmark, is a great example. Narrow streets lined with cafes and shops encourage residents to "own" their spaces, while clear sight lines via low-rise buildings and open plazas foster natural surveillance. Courtyards in apartment buildings can be designed with open views and plenty of windows, allowing residents to keep an eye on each other's spaces.

2. Image and Milieu: How a place looks and feels plays a major role in being crime deterrent. Medellin, Colombia, transformed itself from a crime-ridden city to a vibrant hub by tackling graffiti, improving public spaces, and investing in community programs.

3. Access Control: Gated communities often employ this, but it's not the only option. Well-designed entrances with clear sight-lines and controlled access points can deter intruders without isolating residents. For example, the Vancouver Public Library has a welcoming yet secure entrance with clear visibility for both visitors and security personnel.CPTED refers to Crime Prevention Through  Environmental Design. These are complete guidelines that talk about weaving safety into the very fabric of the building complex

On a building level:

The building itself becomes a watchful eye. Large, clear windows overlooking entrances and exits deter hidden activity. Open spaces within the building allow for easy observation, discouraging loitering and suspicious behavior.

Define clear boundaries through landscaping, fencing, and signage. This creates a sense of ownership and responsibility, making trespassers stand out. Controlled access points, like security gates, further reinforce the message of exclusivity and discourage unauthorized entry.

Well-lit, accessible pathways and common areas deter isolation and criminal opportunity. Public art and greenery can foster a sense of community and ownership, making people more likely to report suspicious activity.

Image Credit: via Tripadvisor

2. Standoff Distance

Publicly accessible roads near high-security buildings are a HUGE threat. Why? Well, it makes your building vulnerable to explosive attacks from those roads. You've got VIPs, priceless artifacts, and all sorts of juicy secrets locked away. But wouldn't they feel safer tucked deep inside, miles from the nearest road?

That's where standoff distance comes in – it's basically putting walls (and gardens, and maybe even a moat) between your precious building and any public roads. Like the Garbhagriha in an Indian temple, hidden in the heart of the complex.

Akshardham Temple in Delhi is a great example of this happening. Their main temple, is so far from any road you'd need a telescope to see it. There is also a study that talks about how safe it is. You can check it out here

So next time you see a high-security building surrounded by a moat perhaps, don't think wasted space. Think invisible shield. And do your zoning accordingly when designing a sensitive building.

Image Credit: via ajiya.com

3. Blast resistance

Blast resistant buildings can withstand explosions. There is a layered approach that takes place to achieve blast resistance

First up, we've got the structural skeleton. Think reinforced concrete and steel, intricately woven together to absorb the shock waves of an explosion. The One World Trade Centre in New York has a super-strong concrete core made of high-performance concrete. It is incredibly strong and can withstand huge impacts.

Next, we add layers of protection. Special materials line the walls and windows, designed to deflect and dissipate the blast's energy. But it's not just about brute force. Architects can employ clever tricks to channel the blast away from vulnerable areas. Think strategically placed vents and blast walls that act like shields, directing the explosion's force harmlessly away.

One World Trade Center has redundant mechanical and electrical systems located in multiple protected areas throughout the building. This ensures that even if one system is damaged, the others can still function and keep the building operational

And don't forget about the details. Even windows and doors get the blast-resistant treatment. Special glazing and reinforced frames turn these potential weak points into sturdy barriers. The windows of One World Trade Center are made of multiple layers of laminated glass, with a special interlayer film that helps to absorb and dissipate the energy of an explosion. This prevents the windows from shattering and creating dangerous projectiles.

☝🏼 These might sound like extreme measures but when someone flies an airplane through your building, you don't take second chances, you know? You can read more about design strategies for safety used by One world trade center, NY here

Image Credit: Author

In the end, I would like to leave ya'll with this note - If attacks can happen in one of the most protected buildings of our country, with the Parliament literally housing all the decision-makers of India, do other buildings really stand a chance? If this can happen in the Parliament house, this can happen anywhere!

You cannot predict any attack. But you can prepare for it! When we can design our buildings for fire safety, flood resistance, universal accessibility then why not for overall safety and security as well?

Something to think about!

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