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...u/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/

@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.

informative article. and congrats on the new look website.

thanks...leanrt something new

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.

So... now that many building are not particularly 'counter -terrorism compliant', and cannot be pulled down, what measure/adjustments can be made to improve on what exists? Eg WestgatE.

Architect Oscar Newman, Timothy Crowe et al have researched deeply into architecture and criminology. They are a good read if you have the time.

@a4a, how can one add this hidden room in an already existing residential house? Doable?