The science of creating healthy environments.
Building Biology (or Bau-Biology™) is the holistic study of the built environment and its impact on human health and planetary ecology. The principles of Building Biology are based on the premise that homes and buildings should be both healthy for occupants (biologically compatible) and sound for the environment (ecologically sustainable).
This field of study emerged in Germany after World War II when the reconstruction of Europe began. Many of the building materials used for the new mass-produced housing communities were synthetic prefabricated components with toxins that created serious health issues for occupants.
The interdisciplinary science of Building Biology was developed to investigate –
- The links between health issues and chemicals in building materials
- Construction methods
- The placement of dwellings
- Factors influencing electromagnetic field exposures
- Indoor air quality
In 1987, a visionary architect/building biologist, Helmut Ziehe brought Building Biology to the United States.
Building Biology strives for methods and materials that create a supportive living environment in balance with nature. It is the purpose of a building biologist to apply their wealth of specialized knowledge to the construction or remediation of homes and buildings.
Building biologists, like Damon Coyne of Intentional Environment are certified by the International Institute of Building Biology and Ecology (IBE)