For school administrators, church leaders, and parents, the question of safety is no longer just a matter of good policy; it’s a matter of design. At KDG, we’ve always believed that buildings should do more than inspire visually. They should serve, protect, and strengthen communities. Nowhere is this more critical than in school design and church design.
That’s why we’re proud to officially announce our partnership with Narrow Path Investigations (NPI), a safety and security consulting firm founded by former first responders and educational professionals. This collaboration is reshaping how we think about security, not as an add-on, but as a proactive strategy woven into every square foot we design.
A Mission-Driven Partnership
Dan Keiser, Principal Architect at KDG, vividly recalls how the partnership began. “We sat down for coffee, and within 90 minutes, it was obvious we were speaking the same language,” said Keiser. “This was about more than buildings; it was about mission, service, and protecting what matters most.”
The introduction came via Gary Underwood, a former client and nonprofit leader, who connected KDG with Joan, Melanie, and Jason from NPI. From there, a clear alignment emerged. KDG brings the architectural expertise, and NPI brings real-world experience in threat assessment, emergency response, and safety training.
Together, we are building environments where safety and design are not in tension, but in harmony.
Elevating School and Church Design Through Risk Assessment
Historically, KDG has integrated security considerations into its school and church designs, guided by decades of experience. But as Dan notes, “We were relying on best practices and intuition. What we needed was someone who could look at our plans and say, ‘This works for design—but here’s how it could fail under pressure.’”
With NPI’s involvement, that feedback is now immediate and expert-level. Jason, a former federal agent, helps review every plan with a risk assessment lens. From door placement and entry control to circulation paths and sightlines, every detail is scrutinized to ensure it serves both everyday use and emergency scenarios.
“First responders don’t look at a building the way we do,” Dan said. “They visualize how to get to the threat quickly, how to evacuate efficiently, and how to neutralize risk. That perspective has fundamentally shifted how we approach design.”
What Parents and Leaders Don’t Always Know to Ask
Understandably, most school boards and church councils ask about safety features during the planning process—especially in areas like children’s ministries, classrooms, or main entrances. But many don’t know about the latest in proactive safety tech, or how design can deter danger before it appears.
“This is where our partnership shines,” Dan explained. “We can now offer wearable panic buttons, real-time visitor tracking, secure badging systems, and integrated crisis alert technology. And more importantly, we help clients understand why these features matter.”
“In a critical situation, seconds count,” Jason added. “A teacher or pastor presses one button, and emergency personnel know who they are, where they are, and what’s happening. That kind of visibility saves lives.”
Safety Is a Culture—Not a Checklist
Through this partnership, we’ve learned that safety isn’t just a feature; it’s a system. It’s a mindset that must be embedded into the environment, policies, and people who use the space.
Melissa, a former educator and now a safety consultant at NPI, puts it plainly: “A locked door is not a security plan. True school safety and church security involve training, communication, and preparation. Buildings must support those systems, not just house them.”
To that end, KDG recently hosted a SAFE Training seminar at our Columbus office for staff and families. The focus was on real-life strategies for staying alert and making proactive decisions—not martial arts, but confidence-building, life-saving skills.
“It wasn’t about fear,” Dan said. “It was about empowerment.”
Real Results, Right Now
This partnership is already bearing fruit. KDG and NPI have co-hosted safety events with current clients, bringing together educators, pastors, and administrators to reimagine what it means to create safe spaces.
“We’re actively co-designing over a dozen school and church projects with safety as a core component from the start,” Dan said. “That’s not just new for us. It’s new for this industry.”
The applications are expanding fast. In addition to K–12 schools and churches, the team is now consulting on early childhood centers, college campuses, and even faith-based corporate offices.
“Every project is a new opportunity to apply these principles,” Dan added. “College campuses, for example, are more complex. Open layouts, multiple access points, and high pedestrian traffic. But risk assessment remains just as essential.”
A Calling That Goes Beyond Blueprints
Everyone involved in the partnership sees it as more than a business decision. They see it as a calling.
“I couldn’t have orchestrated this partnership on my own,” Dan said. “It’s clear that God brought us together. And some of the greatest wins will be the ones we never see. The tragedies that never happen because the right plan was already in place.”
Jason agreed. “Our mission isn’t just to react to violence. It’s to prevent it — to design in such a way that someone with bad intentions thinks twice. That’s the goal.”
The Road Ahead
To school administrators weighing new facility plans, to church leaders imagining safer places for worship and community, and to parents hoping for peace of mind—we want you to know: there’s a better way to design for safety.
The partnership between KDG and NPI is not about fear. It’s about wisdom. It’s about preparedness. And above all, it’s about caring for the people who walk your halls every day.
We’re not just designing beautiful buildings. We’re designing peace of mind, security, and futures safeguarded by thoughtful, integrated planning.
“This is the kind of work that matters,” Dan said. “It’s the kind of work we were created to do.”
Learn more about the work KDG does with schools and other mission-minded organizations.
