According to the Gun Violence Archive, a not-for-profit organization that tallies gun violence incidents across the United States, there were approximately 340 mass shootings (defined as four or more victims in one location) in 2018. Of those 340 incidents, two were categorized as ‘workplace shootings (disgruntled employee).’ An additional 59 incidents were recorded that involved gun violence in the workplace, 14 of which were incidents categorized as workplace shootings with no victims (shots fired). While the likelihood of being a victim of an active shooter in the workplace is relatively low in comparison to other locations, there has been growing concern over the past few years from employers and employees over the safety of the workplace.

As an interior architect in the Washington, D.C. market, I have had my share of experience in designing for high security office space. However, I am finding that more and more of my corporate office clients are starting to ask about how to secure their space from an active shooter. Many of these clients are working within a limited construction budget, typically just the tenant improvement allowance, and won’t have the funds available to incorporate the level of security that is typical of an embassy or other highly protected facility. There is a plethora of information available to designers on the design of high security environments, but very little guidance on how to design a standard commercial office space to survive an active shooter.

The solution that most organizations are currently utilizing is a combination of preventative measures, standard security systems and response training for staff. Preventative measures include training employees to be aware of potential behavioral warning signs such as hostile behavior, dramatic shifts in attitude toward others, and other psychological signs that an individual may be deteriorating in a manner that could lead to violence. Standard security systems may include access control for entry doors and elevators, security cameras and in some cases intercom systems. Response training has increased in popularity and includes employee training on how to respond in the event of an active shooter in the workplace. According to the Department of Homeland Security, who publishes active shooter response guidance, this entails a plan of ‘Run, Hide then Fight’. The focus being to run if possible, hide if necessary and as a last resort attempt to disable the shooter. The purpose is to stay alive until law enforcement can arrive on the scene.

In the age of the open office, with benching and extensive use of glass, hiding becomes a bit of a challenge. Even in our my office, there aren’t a ton of options. Benching style workstations with limited storage and open legs, provide about the same level of shelter as a table. Glass walls around conference rooms can be easily shot through. There are no offices. It’s only in the very back of the space that we have some storage closets and a wellness room that would hardly fit our entire staff. Since they are directly adjacent to the exit stair, one would hope that most of the staff would be able to escape the suite entirely.

Our situation is common. It isn’t bad design, it’s good design that promotes a healthy, collaborative workplace – which happens to be in juxtaposition to what would be ideal for this specific threat. Most modern offices will be faced with the same challenges in addressing an active shooter in the space.

What are ways that we could incorporate active shooter security architecturally, in the modern office and maintain the aspects of the space that we value, like visual openness and access to natural light?