What is a Building Biologist?
A Building Biologist is a qualified environmental health professional trained to identify and address health hazards in the built environment - homes, schools, workplaces and care facilities. Building Biologists assess how building materials, design, construction practices and everyday household exposures may be impacting your health.
From mould, moisture, and ventilation issues to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), indoor air pollution, allergens and toxic building materials, Building Biologists take a science-backed, holistic approach to creating healthier indoor environments.
Those who hold an Advanced Diploma in Building Biology have completed over 1,800 hours of government-accredited training - the first and only course of its kind in Australia. Delivered by the Australian College of Environmental Studies, this rigorous qualification prepares graduates to work at the highest level across residential and small-scale commercial settings.
Certified Building Biologists are trained in:
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Mould and moisture investigations
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Electromagnetic field (EMF) assessments
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Indoor air quality testing (particulates, VOCs, gases)
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Chemical, allergen, and dust contaminant assessments
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Healthy material specification and renovation advice
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Best-practice remediation guidance
With specialised knowledge in building science, environmental medicine, and low-tox living, Building Biologists play a critical role in helping individuals and families recover from building-related illnesses and prevent future exposure. Their assessments are grounded in both modern environmental testing techniques and the 25 Guiding Principles of Building Biology, developed to protect and support long-term human and ecological health.
Annie also holds dual international certifications in Building Biology. The Building Biology New Build Consultant (BBNC) certification from the Building Biology Institute (USA) involves approximately 350-400 hours of study and fieldwork, focusing on building science, EMFs, moisture control, indoor air quality and healthy material selection for new builds and renovations. Annie is also completing the Building Biology Consultant (BBE) certification from the Institut für Baubiologie + Nachhaltigkeit (IBN) in Germany, a rigorous 900 - 1,000 hour program completed over 18-24 months. This advanced course covers 25 in-depth modules on the science of healthy building, sustainable materials, ecological design and occupant health.
Together, these global credentials reflect Annie’s commitment to the highest standards in health-focused building design.
WHY THIS MATTERS
These credentials form the foundation of every course Annie creates. Whether she’s teaching architects, builders, designers or health-conscious homeowners, her approach is grounded in internationally recognised, science-based training - not trends or greenwashing. With deep expertise in Building Biology and Building Science, Annie translates complex concepts into clear, practical strategies that can be directly applied to real-world projects.
Her mission is to raise the standard across the industry - empowering professionals to build and design homes that genuinely support human health and wellbeing.
Annie’s certifications
Why this matters
These credentials form the foundation of every course Annie creates. Whether she’s teaching architects, builders, designers or health-conscious homeowners, her approach is grounded in internationally recognised, science-based training—not trends or greenwashing. With deep expertise in Building Biology and Building Science, Annie translates complex concepts into clear, practical strategies that can be directly applied to real-world projects.
Her mission is to raise the standard across the industry—empowering professionals to build and design homes that genuinely support human health and wellbeing. This commitment is also reflected in her leadership of The Transparency Movement, an industry-wide initiative advocating for full ingredient disclosure in building materials. Through her courses and advocacy, Annie is helping shift the built environment toward greater integrity, safety and long-term sustainability.
What Building Biologists assess
Certified Building Biologists are trained in:
• Mould and moisture investigations
• Electromagnetic field (EMF) assessments
• Indoor air quality testing (particulates, VOCs, gases)
• Chemical, allergen, and dust contaminant assessments
• Healthy material specification and renovation advice
• Best-practice remediation guidance
With specialised knowledge in building science, environmental medicine, and low-tox living, Building Biologists play a critical role in helping individuals and families recover from building-related illnesses and prevent future exposure. Their assessments are grounded in both modern environmental testing techniques and the 25 Guiding Principles of Building Biology, developed to protect and support long-term human and ecological health.
A foundation in international training
Those who hold an Advanced Diploma in Building Biology have completed over 1,800 hours of government-accredited training—the first and only course of its kind in Australia. Delivered by the Australian College of Environmental Studies, this rigorous qualification prepares graduates to work at the highest level across residential and small-scale commercial settings.
Annie also holds dual international certifications in Building Biology. The Building Biology New Build Consultant (BBNC) certification from the Building Biology Institute (USA) involves approximately 350–400 hours of study and fieldwork, focusing on building science, EMFs, moisture control, indoor air quality and healthy material selection for new builds and renovations. Annie is also completing the Building Biology Consultant (BBE) certification from the Institut für Baubiologie + Nachhaltigkeit (IBN) in Germany, a rigorous 900–1,000 hour program completed over 18–24 months. This advanced course covers 25 in-depth modules on the science of healthy building, sustainable materials, ecological design and occupant health.
Together, these global credentials reflect Annie’s commitment to the highest standards in health-focused building design.
BAU-BIOLOGIE
The 25 Principles of Building Biology
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.
