Secure Access as a Foundation of Architectural Design

Security is becoming a principal foundation of architectural design on a global scale. Whether it is a commercial building, residential complex, or even a public space, designers and builders realize that incorporating secure access systems and technology is a vital component of any initial blueprint. Secure access as a consideration in design is no longer limited to government buildings or offices; it has moved mainstream to commercial and residential design. A proactive approach at the drafting table for any design can ensure that the architect's vision is never compromised. As professionals in the building industry strive to build new complex designs and visionary buildings, so too can they envision the safety and security for those structures' occupants, tenants, and visitors.

Six Benefits of Integrating Secure Access

From the beginning, architects, engineers, and construction professionals can reap the benefits of integrating secure access to avoid future cost pitfalls and aesthetic compromises to their designs. This article highlights the benefits of integrating secure access solutions to all building projects by leveraging the AEC professionals at Brivo and their innovative solutions.

1. Visionary Safety and Protection

One of the primary benefits of including secure access in architectural design is the safety and protection offered to the most important stakeholders in your vision: residents, tenants, and guests. As an integral component of blueprints, access control systems help prevent unauthorized entry, monitor building activities, detect suspicious activity, and allow for rapid response to incidents. Secure access as part of the initial design not only provides safeguarding of occupants and visitors but also proactively helps to deter potential or planned threats to both people and the structure itself.

2. Future-Proofing Building Designs

Incorporating secure access solutions into architectural designs ensures that the building is prepared for and adaptable to future technologies to benefit its occupants. As secure access technology advances and meets future threats, access control systems can be updated and expanded to thwart those threats. Often, this only requires a simple software upgrade. However, the existing secure access technology infrastructure significantly mitigates overall costs if a product upgrade is requested.

3. Integrated Smart Building Technology

Secure access solutions can seamlessly integrate with other smart building technologies to enhance the building tenants' safety, productivity, and comfort. These advanced technology integrations allow architects to design structures and spaces that are secure, intuitive, and highly functional. Access control systems can be linked to lighting, elevator operations, HVAC, and even visitor notification systems to optimize building performance and the tenant or visitor experience.

4. Streamlined Building Operations

Access control systems simplify and control costs associated with building operations. Simply put, traditional lock and key systems are expensive both in the short and long term. Having a locksmith in-house or on-call does little to change that cost. Secure access solutions allow architects to design cost-saving spaces that are easier to manage and operate. For example, in the event of a lost or stolen access card, deactivation and replacement is far more efficient than changing out a lock and cutting new keys for all occupants. Mobile pass technology, where occupants use their phones for access, drives costs even lower. Likewise, an occupant or employee who forgets their card can be granted access from a remote central office, reducing stress and the time burden of manual access from building staff.

5. Building Optimization with Data

State-of-the-art access control solutions can provide valuable data insights for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. Both comparative and historical data can be studied to optimize the utilization of planned or existing space, review security protocols, and promote operational efficiency. It can also help track the user experience from the traffic flow perspective at the building entrance and within the building. This allows for more informed decisions about layout and resource allocation to promote a smoother, more user-friendly experience.

6. Cost efficiency

A well-planned secure access system design saves money. It can even offset the challenges created by building codes and fire codes and even retrofit a structure to incorporate secure access post-construction. Considering a secure access solution as part of an initial building design should be no different than any other foundational element, such as construction materials, plumbing, and lighting.

Incorporating secure access early in the process allows you to proactively map the technology throughout the structure, avoiding costs associated with retrofitting, blueprint redrafting, or other more costly post-building adaptations.

Your Security Design Partner

Brivo uses cloud-based access control technology available in REVIT and provides security design support services. We partner with you from specifications and bid writing through execution and construction. You may learn more about how Brivo can support integrating security into your building design.

#proptech

#brivo

#AEC

#architecture

#engineering

#construction

#securityprofessionals

#cloudsecurity