An effective way which architecture facilitates surveillance is by integrating curtain walls or large openings on the facade, or utilizing transparent materials as partitions. While these features serve the purpose of maximizing natural light and encouraging a seamless indoor-outdoor transition, they also provided individuals the ability to observe both interior and exterior spaces.
Office meeting room partition by using glass panels.
The use of transparent walls as a way to surveillance people is interesting, and I think it is a method used a lot in office settings or other businesses. In the image shown above, even if you are enclosed in a room, there is still no where to hide, as you will be seen by anyone in the surrounding rooms/corridors.
In class this week, we talked about surveillance in regards to prisons and the panopticon design. The panopticon design created this idea that the prisoners were being watched at all times, even if the prisoners themselves could not see the guards.
The panopticon design principles closely relate to this idea of transparent walls in any building (or in an office setting for example) because it creates this idea that you are always in the sight of other people. In an office setting, this can be used to make sure everyone is focused and on task with their jobs. This example described is a modern day version of surveillance, but it is still interesting to consider how the panopticon design may have played a role in buildings like this today.