Academy of Architecture for Justice

Use passive, non-threatening design to modify behavior resulting in safer spaces. Study of Court-Targeted Acts of Violence indicates 406 incidents in the 2005-2012 study. Design guidelines to be discussed here include the US General Services Administration P-100 and Site Security Design Standards; New Zealand National Guidelines for Crime Prevention, and CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design).

GSA P-100 is about:

• Physical Deterrence
• Psychological Deterrence
• Clear Expectations for Use
• Surveillance

New Zealand National Guidelines for Crime Prevention is about:

• Access – safe movement
• Surveillance and sightlines
• Layout – clear and logical orientation
• Activity mix – eyes on the street
• Sense of ownership – showing a space is cared for (broken window theory)
• Quality environments – well-designed, well-managed, well-maintained
• Physical protection

CPTED is about:

• Natural Surveillance – eyes of the street (second floor window looking down to dumpster area, for instance). Tree branches are to be 10 feet off the ground, well-illuminated paths in parking areas visible from windows, no dead ends or blind spots.

• Natural Access Control (Use change in level or fences to control people’s paths). Do not create a visual barrier or hiding place, graphics identifying destinations, doors visible from circulation
• Natural Territorial Reinforcement - signs clearly marking entrances or destinations. Sidewalks clearly marked. Anti-climb wall separating loading area from public area
• Management

FIVE DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR SAFE PUBLIC SPACES

1. Layers of security - Site Perimeter, Site Access, Site and Building envelope,  Security Screening
2. Restricted Points of Entry
3. Unobstructed View of Destination
4. Universally Accessible Path. Courthouse steps often restrict wheelchair users from using the same paths as others
5. Clear and Logical Orientation: first time visitor should know the paths at one glance