Could Fortress-Like Schools Prevent Shootings?

The mass shooting at Newton, Connecticut brought gun control, violence in TV and video games, and mental health care to the forefront of a national debate. As talk turns to school design, architects consider the tradeoffs of fortress-like schools.

2 minute read

January 2, 2013, 7:00 AM PST

By Erica Gutiérrez


Since the mass school shooting in Columbine, Colorado in 1999, metal detectors and routinely locked doors are a ubiquitous part of school design, reports C. J. Hughes, and some feel this may be sending the wrong message to students. “Buildings tell stories, and when a building is designed [with bars and other fortifying techniques], it tells you that it doesn’t trust you. And kids intuit that they’re not trusted,” says Mark Simon, a founding partner of Centerbrook Architects and Planners, who has designed 20 school buildings. He adds that, in contrast, open designs and layouts may actually improve visibility and security at schools.

“In recent years,” writes Hughes, “glass has become the material of choice for the walls of many schools, which have cottoned to the idea that students will be more stimulated in rooms bathed in natural light." Fortified schools with "thick concrete walls, windows with bars, and special security vestibules may be more defensible," but would run counter to this trend and the learning needs of students. 

Though designs that provide increased safety through visibility may provide a possible alternative for deterring crime in places of learning, they are no silver bullet. Architectural curator, Thomas Mellins says, “I don’t think safety concerns translate into a simple and direct agenda, like build this way, don’t build that way.” And, Jerry Waters, of Portland, Oregon’s Dull Olson Weekes Architects, adds, “When someone has the intent to kill, I’m not sure if architecture can solve that problem.”

Friday, December 21, 2012 in Architectural Record

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

6 hours ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

June 16 - UNM News