Building Biology and Ecology – creating healthy environments

 

Building Biology is the study of the impact of the place where we life and work on our physical, emotional, spiritual and mental level. Building Biology was pioneered in Germany more than 35 years ago. The original German name is “Bau-Biologie”. IIEHS defines Building Biology as:

“Building Biology is a holistic assessment and healing tool for man-made buildings and structures. The assessment is a survey of all emissions and other harmful influences on humans, animals and environment. The goal of Building Biology is to heal our home or workplace environment through eliminating and neutralizing the potential causes of illness, like toxins, man-made and natural radiation in air, construction material, furniture and garden”.

Building Ecology is the study of the interaction of the building with the Environment, or the application of the principles of sustainability on buildings and urban development. Buildings account for one-sixth of the world's fresh water withdrawals, one-quarter of its wood harvest, and two-fifths of its material and energy flows (Roodman and Lenssen, 1995) .  Building Ecology encourages us to use our resources efficiently, build in harmony with nature, choosing the right location, using environmentally correct and certified materials, incorporating efficient and sustainable energy use, water use, waste and waste water disposal. Building Biology and Ecology expresses in a holistic way our relationship with Nature and the Planet where we live:

“Our health, wellbeing and life quality depends inseparably on the healthy state of our earth".

In general we know a bit about pesticides in food, we have read and heard about environmental accidents all over the world, but we don't know too much about toxics and electromagnetic or geopathic radiation in our houses or offices. The use of chemicals in houses and buildings is significant and is increasing, in spite that there have been numerous reports of neurological disorders' relationship with chemical substances. Conditions like Parkinson´s or Multiple Sclerosis, and new illnesses like Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) are some of them. Profound knowledge regarding this diseases is still lacking, and scientifically based somatic concepts for their therapy do not exist. We are not aware that we are exposed to a wide range of chemicals, in most cases we cannot smell them, neither see or feel them.

In our opinion, the negative effects of toxins and radiations on our health are extremely subestimated. Even patients with regulary symptoms of neurological disorders over years continue living in the same houses with the same conditions, spraying the garden with the same chemicals, using the same paints and so on. In the case of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) the self healing and self regulating ability of the body is failing in order of the long term and continuous intoxication. There is no cure as long as the person is not changing the conditions and radically eliminating the causes. If this causes are not eliminated, the invisible enemy is continuing his work, quiet but very efficient. By understanding the influences the building may have upon people, we may effectively create healthier, more harmonious and more productive environments.
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The 15 Principles of Building Biology and Ecology
Developed by Bojan Schianetz, Civil Eng.

•  Developments shall be done according to sustainable land-use pattern that consumes a minimum amounts of land and resources.

•  Buildings shall incorporate efficient and sustainable energy use, water use, solid waste and waste water reuse, recycling or environmentally safe disposal.

•  All materials used shall be non toxic, non radioactive, recyclable and if possible from environmentally correct and certified sources. Building activities shall not contribute to the exploitation of non-renewable and rare resources.

•  The production, transport, installation and disposal of building materials shall not contribute to environmental pollution and high energy costs.

•  During Construction the waste shall be separated and if possible recycled.

•  The total moisture content of a new building shall be low and dry out quickly. Indoor air humidity shall be regulated naturally, a building shall have a pleasant or neutral smell.

•  Buildings shall provide an indoor environment that does not promote, accumulate or circulate harmful particles, radioactivity, bacteria, viruses and fungi.

•  The buildings shall maximize natural heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting, and be acoustically insulated. The natural balance of atmospheric electricity and ion concentration shall be maintained naturally.

•  Man-made electromagnetic radiation shall be as low as possible.

•  The distance to powerlines and phone towers shall be as far as possible.

•  Cosmic and terrestrial radiation is essential and shall be interfered as little as possible. A building site shall be free from harmful earth radiation.

•  Interior, furniture design and colour shall be balanced and harmonic with nature and the occupants.

•  Design of buildings shall incorporate principles of ergonomics, harmony, proportion and reflect the character of the local area. Harmonic measures, proportions and shapes need to be taken into consideration.

•  Housing and developments shall be personalized, in harmony with nature, fit for human habitation and family oriented. They shall foster healthy family and community relationships.

•  Gardens and surrounding environment shall consider environmentally sound principles for its design, construction and maintenance, including maximising resources use efficiency, avoiding toxics and using the available spaces to provide for the needs of people and wildlife.
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