A Venn diagram illustrating the interdisciplinary nature of building science, integrating biology, chemistry, physics, and medicine. It highlights environmental and geological factors, medical histories and illnesses, and construction and craftsmen aspects that overlap to form building science.

BAU-BIOLOGIE

Bau-biologie or Building Biology, as it is now called in the United States, was founded in Germany in the 1960’s by a group of professionals from a variety of disciplines concerned about the inability of post World War II housing to support health and ecology.  Studies found that many of the new buildings were constructed rapidly, resulting in unusual patterns of illnesses; known today as Sick Building Syndrome or building related illnesses. The rapid construction methods did not give building materials enough time to off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), coupled with electrical wiring errors made the occupants of the homes sick. 

The American headquarters for the International Institute for Bau-biologie® and Ecology was founded in Clearwater, Florida in 1987. Today, The Building Biology Institute (BBI) 501- C(3) non-profit, educational organisation is dedicated to bringing together the technical expertise, biological understanding and ecological sensitivity to create healthy homes, schools, and workplaces. Much of the criteria and values used in the verification testing sections of the Healthy Home Standard were taken from the Supplement to the Standard of Building Biology Testing Methods SBM-2008, Building Biology Evaluation Guidelines, for Sleeping Areas, Institut für Baubiologie + Ökologie IBN, Neubeuern, Germany.

What is a Building Biologist
Diagram of the Vitruvian man inside a geometric shape, with text 'BAU-BIOLOGIE' visible at the bottom.

The 25 Principles of
Building Biology

  • 1.Verify that the site is free of naturally occurring health hazards.

    2. Place dwellings so occupants are undisturbed by sources of man-made air, soil, water, noise and electropollution.

    3. Place dwellings in well-planned communities that provide ample access to fresh air, sunshine and nature.

    4. Plan homes and developments considering the needs of community, families and individuals of all ages.

  • 5. Provide an abundance of well-balanced natural light and illumination while using colour in accordance with nature.

    6. Minimise building material interference with vital cosmic and terrestrial radiation.

    7. Adopt appropriate strategies to minimise exposure to harmful Electromagnetic radiation generated as a result of building electrification

    8. Adopt appropriate avoidance and shielding strategies to minimise exposure to radio frequency radiation generated by wireless devices within the building and from wireless sources outside the building.

    9. Avoid use of building materials that have elevated radioactivity levels.

  • 10. Assure low total moisture content and rapid desiccation of wet construction processes in new buildings.

    11. Provide for ample ventilation.

    12. All building materials shall be non-toxic with neutral or pleasant natural scents using natural and unadulterated building systems and materials.

    13. Use appropriate water and moisture exclusion techniques to prevent interior growth of fungi, bacteria and dust mites. Techniques to favour mass flow-through envelope enclosures with high hygric buffering capacity.

    14. Assure best possible water quality by applying purification technologies if required.

  • 15. Allow natural self-regulation of indoor air humidity, sound attenuation and healthy ion balance using hygroscopic (humidity buffering) and sorbent materials and finishes.

    16. Design for a climatically appropriate balance between thermal insulation and thermal storage capacity.

    17. Plan for climatically appropriate surface and air temperature.

    18. Use appropriate thermal radiation strategies for heating buildings including passive solar wherever viable.

    19. Provide adequate acoustical protection from harmful noise and vibration.

    20. Utilise physiological and ergonomic knowledge in interior and furniture design.

    21. Consider proportion, harmonic measure, order and shape in design.

  • 22. 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.

    23. Avoid the use of building materials that deplete irreplaceable natural resources or are being harvested in an unsustainable manner.

    24. Minimise energy consumption throughout the life of the building utilising climate-based and energy efficient design, energy and water saving technologies and renewable energy.

    25. Consider the embodied energy and environmental life cycle costs when choosing all materials used in construction.