Rethinking the Role of Screening in Commercial and Civic Design

As cost pressures intensify and ESG expectations reshape the construction sector, a subtle but significant change is taking place in how we think about design is happening, quite literally, in the background. 

Security screening elements, once regarded as secondary or purely aesthetic features, are being reimagined as active contributors to safety, environmental performance, and architectural legacy. 

With $213 billion in public infrastructure investment planned over the next five years, much of it focused on high-density urban and transport-related projects, the focus is shifting. Planners and architects are now looking for building components that go beyond compliance — solutions that enhance safety, sustainability, and efficiency from the outset. 

“Architects, engineers and governments alike are reassessing the role of screening as a primary design feature,” says Kurt Kavanagh, National Sales Manager at Amplimesh. “What we’re seeing is a move toward products that are as technically capable as they are architecturally flexible, delivering safety, durability, and design expression all in one.” 

A New Era for Screening Systems 

From commercial façades to pedestrian overpasses, education campuses to bridges, today’s screening systems have evolved. No longer just filling gaps in a structure, they’re helping to shape airflow, enhance light control, protect public safety, and even reduce long-term operational costs. 

This broader understanding of what screening can achieve is also driving new performance expectations, particularly in fire protection and community safety. 

Fire Attenuation and Bushfire Resilience 

In high-density developments, where boundary setbacks are minimal, fire attenuation screening is emerging as a key design solution. These screens help mitigate the spread of flames and radiant heat between buildings, allowing architects to meet fire separation requirements without compromising ventilation or visual design intent. 

By balancing compliance with aesthetic and environmental goals, fire-rated screening is becoming a standard consideration rather than an optional extra. 

In bushfire-prone regions, screening also plays a vital role in protecting assets. Updated NCC provisions and Australian Standards are tightening material requirements for bushfire attack level (BAL) zones, driving demand for solutions that safeguard buildings and public infrastructure from ember attack, radiant heat, and debris, all while maintaining airflow and openness. 

According to CSIRO’s National Bushfire Intelligence Capability (2024), Australia’s fire seasons are starting earlier and becoming more intense, amplifying the need for fire-resistant infrastructure even in urban edge locations. 

Designing for Community Safety 

There’s also growing recognition of the role screening plays in community safety. In transport corridors and civic spaces, screens are being engineered to mitigate fall risks, deflect debris, and provide anti-throw protection, without adding visual bulk or diminishing public amenity. 

Achieving the right balance between safety and design quality is key to community acceptance and is driving designers to pursue higher safety and impact resistance standards. 

Collaboration and Whole-of-Life Performance 

For specifiers, the task is clear: select screening solutions that can perform under demanding conditions – withstanding high wind loads, resisting impact, and delivering long-term durability and minimal maintenance. 

Achieving this balance requires early collaboration between designers, engineers, and manufacturers to ensure that solutions are integrated efficiently and cost-effectively. 

But beyond regulation, there’s also a cultural shift happening. Every design decision is now being evaluated not just for how it looks today, but for how it will perform and endure over decades. 

“In the past, security screens were often value-engineered out or added late in the process,” Kavanagh explains. “Now, they’re being baked into the concept phase or engineered to be part of the building or structure’s DNA. And that’s where real innovation is happening.” 

Innovation for a Sustainable Future 

Across Australia, councils, commercial developers, and builders are embedding advanced screening solutions into overpass redevelopments, education precincts, and rail corridor upgrades. These choices are not just functional, they’re visible commitments to community, longevity, and better building outcomes. 

For manufacturers and design teams, the challenge is to keep innovating without inflating budgets or timelines. That means pre-testing to Australian Standards, adopting modular systems, and ensuring materials are adaptable to meet diverse site conditions. 

As Australia’s infrastructure pipeline rebuilds and long-term ESG requirements become non-negotiable, screening will no longer be an afterthought in commercial or civic design. It’s fast becoming a strategic and creative tool in the design arsenal shaping the future of our built environment. 

Speak with Amplimesh performance screening specialists about your project requirements. Enquiry now.