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25 Principles of Building Biology

The guiding principles of Building Biology were created over 40 years ago by Anton Schneider, one of the founders of the Institut fur Baubiologie und Oekologie.  They serve as a framework, using nature as a guide, for creating and sustaining healthy and asethically pleasing built spaces.  

Healthy Indoor Air

  • Supply sufficient fresh air and reduce air pollutants and irritants

  • Avoid exposure to toxic molds, yeasts, and bacteria as well as dust and allergens

  • Use materials with a pleasant or neutral smell

  • Minimize exposure to electromagnetic fields and wireless radiation

  • Use natural, nontoxic materials with the least amount of radioactivity

Thermal and Acoustic Comfort

  • Strive for a well-balanced ratio between thermal insulation and heat retention as well as indoor surface and air temperatures

  • Use humidity-buffering materials

  • Keep the moisture content of new construction as low as possible

  • Prefer radiant heat for heating

  • Optimize room acoustics and control noise, including infrasound

Human-based Design

  • Take harmonic proportion and form into consideration

  • Nurture the sensory perceptions of sight, hearing, smell, and touch

  • Maximize daylighting and choose flicker-free lighting sources and color schemes that closely match natural light

  • Base interior and furniture design on physiological and ergonomic findings

  • Promote regional building traditions and craftsmanship

Sustainable Environmental Performance

  • Minimize energy consumption and use renewable energy

  • Avoid causing environmental harm when building new or renovating

  • Conserve natural resources and protect plants and animals

  • Choose materials and life cycles with the best environmental performance, favoring regional
    building materials

  • Provide the best possible quality of drinking water

Socially Connected and Ecologically Sound Communities

  • Design the infrastructure for well-balanced mixed use: short distances to work, shopping, schools, public transit, essential services, and recreation

  • Create a living environment that meets human needs and protects the environment

  • Provide sufficient green space in rural and urban residential areas

  • Strengthen regional and local supply networks as well as self-sufficiency

  • Select building sites that are located away from sources of contamination, radiation, pollutants, and noise

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