Darren Hyde at the Automatic Door Suppliers Association says architects can balance architectural vision with the competing demands of safety, security and accessibility when designing modern building entrances.
Entrances are among the most defining elements of architecture. They frame the first interaction between people and a building, shaping expectations and guiding movement. Yet these spaces must also meet a complex mix of requirements: accessibility, circulation, fire safety and increasingly, protective security. A visually open, welcoming entrance must still support emergency escape and, in some cases, controlled access. Achieving this balance requires careful planning of both the entrance and the approach to the building.
Architectural entrances often prioritise openness and clarity. Large glazed facades, wide openings and generous arrival spaces help orientate visitors and encourage intuitive movement. However, these features must also suit the realities of building use.
Primary entrances handle the greatest volume of pedestrian traffic and must remain fully accessible. Automated door systems are frequently used to support inclusive access and smooth circulation. The choice of door type (sliding, swing or revolving) depends on the entrance’s scale and purpose.
Secondary entrances serve operational or controlled functions, such as staff access or service entry. These may require higher levels of access management or security. Understanding how each entrance contributes to the building’s overall movement and safety strategy is essential.
Growing role of security
Security is now a key factor in entrance design, particularly in public or high-occupancy buildings. The proposed Terrorism (Protection of Premises) legislation – commonly known as Martyn’s Law – is expected to introduce new responsibilities for organisations to assess risks and consider protective security within publicly accessible spaces.
Although the legislation focuses on operational preparedness, it also influences how buildings are designed and managed. Architects are increasingly expected to incorporate proportionate security measures that do not compromise usability or visual openness.
Often, these measures can be integrated discreetly. Monitored reception points, access control systems or speed lanes placed within internal transitional zones can provide effective security without dominating the architectural expression. They can also boost a building’s efficiency, combining eco measures with integration of technologies for smart building control and integrated management.
Designing the approach
The route leading to an entrance is a key part of how people experience and navigate a building. Landscape design, pathways and sightlines all help guide occupants towards the appropriate entry point. Intuitive wayfinding and well defined thresholds create a sense of order while subtly supporting safety and security strategies.
A carefully planned approach can discourage unauthorised access to secondary entrances, and naturally direct visitors to the primary access point where management or oversight is in place. External spaces must also support safe evacuation and allow clear access for emergency services.
The entrance sequence – from the external approach to the internal foyer – should be considered as a unified spatial experience, not single architectural features.
Safety considerations
Fire safety remains fundamental in entrance design. Door systems must support emergency escape, with powered pedestrian doors configured to release, unlock or fail safe during evacuation. Smoke control or compartmentation strategies may depend on doors performing specific functions during a fire.
Ensuring any added security features do not impede emergency egress is especially important in public buildings or spaces with large occupant numbers, where evacuation routes must remain clear and reliable.
Shared & multitenant buildings
Design challenges become more complex in multi-tenant or shared buildings. A single primary entrance may serve several organisations, each with its own security expectations. ‘Speed lanes’ or access control points may regulate movement to different areas while maintaining the welcoming character of the overall space.
In these buildings, the foyer becomes a transitional zone that must balance open circulation with controlled access. Spatial planning is essential to ensure that security features do not create bottlenecks or obstruct escape routes.
Designing for change
Buildings evolve over time and entrance systems must be flexible enough to adapt. Changing occupancy patterns, new building uses or shifting security expectations may alter how entrances need to function.
For example, an office building may later incorporate public services or community facilities, introducing new demands for access management. In refurbishment or adaptive reuse projects, architects must reassess whether existing entrances still meet the building’s operational and safety requirements.
Darren Hyde is technical & training manager at ADSA