It’s time to say goodbye to 2012 and hello to 2013. As we all return from the holidays and shuffle back into the office, we think of all we have to look forward to: continuing on with existing projects, working on new ones, and making this a productive and great year. While we like to say that 2013 is a “fresh start”, we are still affected and saddened by the Sandy Hook tragedy that occurred at the end of last year. This heartbreak has sparked a huge debate about security in schools, and what we can do in the future to (hopefully) prevent another incident like this one.
The issue of security came up at our recent staff meeting on Monday, January 7th, as we were talking about the progression of a school our firm is designing. What is the right solution? What can we do? Many of us had a lot of ideas. “Putting metal detectors in schools will not solve the problem long term”, said one staff member. Some suggested we have special entry keys to get into certain areas. Another staff member had a great point that we, as architects, can all agree on: “We need to create a safe and inspired learning environment, and as architects we have a responsibility to contribute to the solution.”
Michael Ayles, Principal of Business Development at Antinozzi Associates, was quoted in the New Haven Register regarding the shooting, and how safety has become a higher priority in Connecticut school construction. To read the full article, click here
But, how much security is designed “physically” into a school facility is up to a municipality or district based on several factors. Though designing secure school facilities may include numerous, multi-faceted solutions, many of these come at a premium cost to the school district, and ultimately, the taxpayers. Whatever your opinion may be, security has become a big part of not only the architectural world, but the whole world. We plan on working hard to find the best solutions for each project.
By Lindsay Sacco
Marketing Coordinator