Building Biology is about creating healthy and sustainable buildings in ecologically sound and socially connected communities. Ecological, economic, and social aspects are considered In the selection of materials and design.
The 25 principles of Building Biology were developed by Anton Schneider, Ph.D., founder of the Institut fűr Baubiologie and Oekologie in Germany in the 1970’s.
These principles guide the work of Building Biologists in Australia. They can be used while planning and constructing a natural and ecologically friendly home, or while renovating an existing home. The guidelines help to ensure a home is:
- health-enhancing for the people who live in it
- not detrimental to the health of the people building the home
- as free from disruption to the environment as possible.
Healthy Indoor Air
- Ventilate the home to supply sufficient fresh air to reduce air pollutants and irritants
- Reduce exposure to moulds, mycotoxins, bacteria, dust and allergens as much as possible
- Use building materials and furnishings with a pleasant or neutral smell and which do not out-gas toxins
- Choose building materials which help to regulate indoor air humidity levels
- Keep the moisture content of new construction as low as possible and ensure it can dry out quickly
Electromagnetic fields
- Avoid using building materials that have elevated radioactivity levels
- Minimize exposure to electromagnetic fields and wireless radiation coming from inside and outside the home
Thermal and Acoustic Comfort
- Aim for a balance between thermal insulation and heat retention that suits the local climate
- Aim for indoor surface and air temperatures that suit the local climate
- Choose radiant heating where possible
- Optimise room acoustics and control noise and vibration
Human-based Design
- Consider proportion, harmonic measures, order and shape in design
- Nurture the sensory perceptions of sight, hearing, smell, and touch
- Maximize daylight within the home, and choose flicker-free lighting sources and colour schemes that closely match natural light
- Base interior and furniture design choices on physiological and ergonomic information
- Promote regional building traditions and craftsmanship, aiming to protect natural resources
Sustainable Environmental Performance
- Minimize energy consumption and use renewable energy
- Choose materials with the best environmental performance across their life cycle, favouring regional building materials
- Avoid causing environmental harm when building new or renovating
- Conserve natural resources and protect plants and animals to ensure that over-use of limited supplies and irreplaceable raw materials is avoided
- Provide the best possible quality drinking water
- Consider the embodied energy and environmental life cycle costs when choosing all materials used in construction
- Materials and methods of construction shall promote human health and well-being from the extraction of raw materials, through to end-of-building’s life
Socially Connected and Ecologically Sound Communities
- Design homes and communities considering the needs of individuals, families and communities of all ages
- Select building sites that are located away from sources of air, soil and water contamination, radiation, pollutants, and noise
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Institute of Building Biology and Sustainability, 2022, 25 Guiding Principles of Building Biology, (Online), Available: http://www.buildingbiology.com, (21 June 2022).
Building Biology Institute, 2020, 25 Building Biology Principles, (Online), Available: http://www.buildingbiologyinstitute.org, (21 June 2022).