Building environments can contribute to safety by reducing vulnerability to crime and by reducing aggression within occupants. This review draws on a wide range of literature to identify elements of lighting, noise, temperature, layout, and building quality which have been shown to provoke aggressive behaviour (often by increasing mental fatigue, or influencing serotonin production), and which reduce the incidences of crime or violence. Additionally, a discussion on demographic differences in perceptions of safety suggest the importance of a diverse approach to building interventions.