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Every discipline aims to be involved in a project from the start. However, neglecting security until the last minute can lead to expensive complications. This includes reworking conduits, installing surface-mounted hardware at the eleventh hour, and the frustrating discovery that the project’s operational needs were not fully considered. It’s enough to make any architect roll their eyes.

The good news?

There are ways to integrate physical and electronic security without compromising design intent and vision. This guide is built from real conversations with security pros who have spent their careers bridging the gap between architectural would like, built environment factors, technology, and client operational expectations. Whether designing a new space or retrofitting an existing one, these insights will help you navigate the application of physical security with confidence.

What’s changed—and why security impacts design more than ever

Building users security expectations have evolved alongside the risks. Advances in technology, changes in space utilization and increasing safety concerns no longer mean that security can be an afterthought. Clients now demand openness with protection, integrating security in ways that feel seamless rather than restrictive.

Simultaneously, regulatory requirements are becoming more complex, and security technology is advancing rapidly. Innovations like wireless solutions, cloud-based access control, and AI-driven surveillance are expanding possibilities, but only if integrated early in the planning process. Projects that prioritize security from the outset are not just safer—but also smarter, more efficient, and better aligned with how people navigate and utilize spaces.

Beyond security electronics, architectural layout decisions have a big impact. The placement of a doorway can determine whether entire sections of a building remain secure or become unintentionally accessible. Sightlines influence both surveillance coverage and visual discretion. Even small layout adjustments—when made early—can enhance security without compromising the design intent.

When integrated from the beginning, security complements architecture rather than competing with it, without complicating the process. A few strategic early decisions can prevent security from becoming an expensive afterthought.

Avoiding common security gaps in architectural design

The “just add cameras” approach (there’s more to it)

Many assume that simply adding cameras to a building will ensure security, but cameras alone do not prevent incidents—they merely document them. Without a comprehensive security strategy, surveillance becomes reactive, providing evidence after an event rather than deterring threats beforehand. Effective security planning incorporates multiple layers, including access control, clear sightlines, and strategic circulation design, reducing risks before they escalate. Cameras should enhance these measures, not serve as the primary defense.

Additionally, treating cameras as an afterthought in building design can lead to significant challenges. Retrofitting surveillance into an existing structure often results in blind spots, exposed wiring pathway and conduits, and aesthetic inconsistencies, limiting both functionality and effectiveness. By integrating security considerations early in the design process, buildings can support a more cohesive and proactive approach to safety, ensuring cameras work as part of a well-planned system rather than a last-minute fix.

The disconnect between interior security and perimeter control

A common oversight in architectural design is treating perimeter security and interior access control as separate concerns. A building may have well-secured entry points, but without properly planned internal controls, security can quickly fall apart.

For instance, a main entrance might feature a secure vestibule with card access, yet if interior doors remain unrestricted, anyone who bypasses the initial checkpoint can move freely throughout the building. In high-traffic environments like schools, hospitals, or corporate campuses, this lack of control can create significant operational risks. Effective security should be a layered system, incorporating clear zoning strategies that align with the building’s function and flow.

Treating CPTED like a checklist

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is most effective when integrated into the design process rather than applied as a security afterthought. The key is incorporating CPTED principles early—when entry placement, sightlines, and circulation patterns are still flexible.

Simple design choices can enhance security just as effectively as added surveillance. A strategically placed window or a subtle shift in landscaping can improve visibility, while thoughtful lighting design eliminates the need for clunky, retrofitted solutions. Likewise, instead of relying on obvious security measures like rows of bollards, well-placed planters or gentle grade changes can achieve the same protection while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. When CPTED is treated as a design strategy, it enhances safety seamlessly, reinforcing security without making it feel forced.

Hidden operational challenges that only come to light after move-in

Some security gaps only become apparent once a building is in use. A door may meet code but cause bottlenecks when large groups pass through. A high-security area might lack a practical access route for authorized staff, leading to workarounds that weaken security. Even systems that seem effective on paper—like a fully networked access control system—can become operational headaches if maintenance teams don’t have the right infrastructure or staff to manage them.

That’s why security should be considered not just as a technical requirement but as an integral part of how a space functions daily. Attention during the design phase can prevent significant post-occupancy frustrations.

Bringing in security expertise early doesn’t mean compromising design vision—it means making smart, strategic adjustments when they’re easiest to implement, ensuring security enhances the architecture rather than competing with it.

Retrofitting security: what you need to know

Unlike new construction—where security can be seamlessly integrated, retrofitting security into an existing building comes with unique challenges that require creative solutions.  The goal is to enhance security without disrupting functionality, aesthetics, or budget.

The complexity of a security upgrade is often influenced by two key infrastructure factors:

• Network capacity. Modern security systems rely on robust network infrastructures to support high-resolution video, cloud-based access control, and real-time monitoring, all of which demand significant bandwidth. Older built environments may have restrictions including limited network capacity, outdated switches that can’t support the load, and interconnectivity issues between buildings, requiring IT upgrades that add unexpected costs.
• Power availability. Security devices such as cameras and electronic door hardware need dedicated power sources. In some buildings, the electrical system is already maxed out, requiring additional circuits or even full electrical upgrades. If these constraints aren’t identified early, what seems like a simple security enhancement can turn into a costly infrastructure overhaul.

When traditional infrastructure upgrades aren’t feasible, alternative solutions can bridge the gap:

• Wireless Security Devices. Wireless cameras, card readers, and sensors reduce installation impact by integrating with existing networks. However, older buildings may pose challenges like signal interference from legacy materials or overlapping frequency bands, requiring careful planning and site assessment.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE). PoE delivers both power and data through a single cable, minimizing the need for separate electrical wiring. However, its effectiveness depends on switch capacity, cable length, and device power requirements, making proper planning essential.
• Architectural integration. Security hardware can be discreetly incorporated into ceiling spaces or façade elements to maintain aesthetics while remaining effective. However, placement must account for factors like field of view, signal transmission, and environmental conditions to ensure optimal performance.

Identifying a building’s limitations early helps prevent costly surprises, while modern technology provides flexible ways to upgrade security without requiring a full-scale infrastructure overhaul.

When to bring in a security expert (and what that actually looks like)

Master planning vs. schematic design—where security input makes the biggest difference

The best time to bring in security expertise depends on how deeply security will be integrated into the project.

• For master planning, security plays a strategic role, aligning policies, procedures, and infrastructure across a campus or portfolio of buildings. This approach ensures consistency in technology, access control, and monitoring systems, creating a unified security framework.
• For individual projects, programming and schematic design is the most critical stage for security input. This is when architects define circulation patterns, position entrances and exits and establish key zones within a building. Early involvement allows security professionals to advise on access control strategies, camera placement, and sightlines before major design elements are set in stone.

The later security is introduced—such as in design development or beyond—the fewer options remain, often resulting in costly adjustments and added coordination efforts.

Making the case to the client—why proactive security planning saves money and headaches

Making the case for early security planning showcases the downstream benefits:

• Cost savings: Thoughtful security planning from the start reduces the need for complex hardware, retrofits, and last-minute workarounds.
• Aesthetic integration: When security is part of the design discussion, solutions can be seamlessly embedded rather than appearing as afterthoughts.
• Operational efficiency: A well-planned security system works with how a building functions, rather than creating friction for occupants and staff.
• Innovation: Early collaboration allows security consultants to develop creative solutions with architects and even coordinate with manufacturers when standard products don’t fit the project’s needs.

Positioning security as a proactive design element assures owners that the design team is thinking holistically protecting people and assets while maintaining architectural integrity.

How security consultants think differently than architects—and why that’s a good thing

Architects prioritize form, flow, and function while security professionals focus on risk, control, and operational realities. These perspectives are complementary.

Security consultants think in layers considering how public and private spaces interact, how access control influences movement, and how technology can support—not disrupt—the design intent. They anticipate operational challenges that may not be apparent in drawings but become real issues once a building is occupied.

While architects shape the broader vision integrating aesthetics, user experience, and the surrounding environment-security experts identify vulnerabilities. The key is in the collaboration; when security is woven into the design process. it enhances the architecture rather than conflicting with it.

How Salas O’Brien can help

Security decisions don’t have to slow you down or complicate your design. We work alongside you to integrate security seamlessly, helping you navigate access control, CPTED strategies, and code compliance without compromising aesthetics or functionality. Whether it’s planning for egress, coordinating with other disciplines, or ensuring technology infrastructure is in place, we make security an asset, not an afterthought.

With our expertise in both design and operations, we help you avoid last-minute workarounds and costly revisions. From master planning to retrofits, we bring practical, real-world security solutions that align with your vision. When you bring us in early, security fits into your design instead of competing with it, so you can focus on creating spaces that are both safe and beautifully executed.

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