Wazua
»
Investor
»
Property
»
Terrorism in Malls. How to use architecture to prevent attacks.
Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
|
Westgate mall is designed such that there is a void in the middle where stairs and lifts to the upper and lower basement floors are located.
This design enabled terrorists to carry out the attack without hindrance.
The mall has a fort like design where access form outside is limited to the main entrance or the top floor car park.
Crime prevention.
My final year Architecture school, University of Nairobi thesis was modelled around Architect Oscar Newman and his concept/theory of Defensible Space.
http://www.criminology.f...du/crimtheory/newman.htm
Among the architectural design concepts that can reduce the chances of crime is openness.
Buildings, including shopping malls can be designed such that the circulation space, corridors, walkways and stair ways are all visible from the main road.
This visibility makes it harder for criminals to plan and execute their acts since chances are that the public will get prior warning and in case of actual assault, the public can easily gain access into the building.
Nakumatt Prestige, along Ngong road, comes close to having this open design.
read more here
http://www.a4architect.c...re-to-prevent-attacks-2/As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran Joined: 2/21/2012 Posts: 1,739
|
@A4, what would you say are the advantages or a style similar to Westgate? Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God..
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
|
@am..mostly aids in advertisement as in large surfaces for ads. Its also more compact hence less circulation space and more rentable space.
Westgate walling looks line concrete prefab panels which are common with Israeli/american type buildings.
Such panelised construction is easier when done as a block to save costs and simplify the structural engineering aspect.
Galleria walling is masonry stone which is easier and more pliable to play around with.
Compare to Nakumatt Galleria which is more open designed. It has fewer ad facades and more space used as corridor.
 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran Joined: 2/21/2012 Posts: 1,739
|
I see, @architech Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God..
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran Joined: 4/1/2009 Posts: 1,885
|
a4architect.com wrote:
Westgate mall is designed such that there is a void in the middle where stairs and lifts to the upper and lower basement floors are located.
This design enabled terrorists to carry out the attack without hindrance.
The mall has a fort like design where access form outside is limited to the main entrance or the top floor car park.
Crime prevention.
My final year Architecture school, University of Nairobi thesis was modelled around Architect Oscar Newman and his concept/theory of Defensible Space.
http://www.criminology.f...du/crimtheory/newman.htm
Among the architectural design concepts that can reduce the chances of crime is openness.
Buildings, including shopping malls can be designed such that the circulation space, corridors, walkways and stair ways are all visible from the main road.
This visibility makes it harder for criminals to plan and execute their acts since chances are that the public will get prior warning and in case of actual assault, the public can easily gain access into the building.
Nakumatt Prestige, along Ngong road, comes close to having this open design.
read more here
http://www.a4architect.c...re-to-prevent-attacks-2/
informative article. and congrats on the new look website.
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
|
@mkenyan..thanks. As for the website, it was just a matter of tweeking the default wordpress themes..took less than 10 min to do this.
With more secure designs, it will be virtually impossible for terrorists to terrorise people for more than a couple of hours.
They will either resort to the 1998 us embassy bombing style or other styles which we can still prevent using design. As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
|
|
|
Rank: New-farer Joined: 5/11/2011 Posts: 48
|
thanks...leanrt something new
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
|
@eggnest..welcome.
Also check out how buildings can have hidden secret rooms to save such situations. I had written the article in relation to the Gubernatorial slap issue but can also help during a terrorist attack. Business owners can escape to the secret room and call for help.
http://www.a4architect.c...thin-houses-and-offices/As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
|
|
|
Rank: New-farer Joined: 9/6/2010 Posts: 97 Location: nairobi, kenya
|
From a business perspective it make more sense to build vertical than building outwards, in high population density areas like Westlands/Parklands due to sky high land prices. I think there should be a greater focus on evacuation systems, vehicle access and general landscaping features which can provide some sort of shielding from gun fire. I also like the idea of having safe rooms. Before you can be be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.
|
|
|
Rank: Veteran Joined: 1/4/2010 Posts: 1,668 Location: nairobi
|
@vj, open design can be easily achievable even in high rise building. The nakumatt galleria example is to show the open type of design which can be achieved even in sky scrapers. With this kind of terrorism threat, any method that aids security should be included. Its not so much for shielding from gun fire as allowing the same gun fire/assistance from outside into buildings, say from police snipers.
Safe rooms can come in handy to shop owners since they will be in the know on how to acces them. Customers will not be aware of such unless directed by the shop owners. As Iron Sharpens Iron, So one Man Sharpens Another.
|
|
|
Wazua
»
Investor
»
Property
»
Terrorism in Malls. How to use architecture to prevent attacks.
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.
|