Building Biology

What is Building Biology

The practice of Baubiologie und Okologie or Building Biology has its roots in post-war Germany where Professor Dr Anton Schneider began researching the effects of rapid building practices and their effects on the health of the population. In 1983 he founded the IBN (Institute of Building Biology & Ecology, Neubeuern) which was established to carry out research and professional training.

The underlying principle is one of “balance.” All materials that come from the natural environment make up the “living structure” and will promote health. When these materials are returned to the natural environment they will cause no harm. Problems occur for people and the environment when synthetic materials and manmade pollutants are introduced.

As we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, health hazards are often hidden which means that the health of the occupants can be impacted over time, often without realising what the root cause is which is why a trained Building Biologist is often the best person to identify and address the health hazards in the built environment.

There are 25 guiding principles to Building Biology include Healthy Indoor Air, Human Based Design, Thermal and Acoustic Comfort, Sustainable and Environmental Performance and Socially Connected and Ecological Sound Communities. These guiding principles delve into different areas including electrosmog (Electromagnetic fields or EMFs), light, sound, radiation, indoor toxins, indoor pollutants, indoor climate, mould, bacteria, and allergens.