Building For Health - Bau Biologie

BUILDING FOR HEALTH BAU-BIOLOGIE

Two concepts underpin my Healing Home designs. The first is Bau-Biologie or literally translated “Building Biology.” It is a specialized branch of Building Science that focuses on human health. It arose as a formal discipline in the 1960’s when the declining health of people living in European post World War II homes was first observed. These were people who for the first time were living in structures built from synthetic, petrochemically-based materials. Building Biology was brought to the United States by Helmut Ziehe, a German- and British-taught architect, who personally translated the original German coursework and, in 1987, founded the International Institute for Building Biology & Ecology to administer and build the practice here in the States.

TWO CRITICAL FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES

There are two fundamental principles that underscore its study: Balance and Nature . That is, our homes are healthiest and most in balance when built without toxins, without synthetics, and best when built with materials that are sourced from the natural world. Building Biology does more than just dictate a reduction of toxins however. It also explores the most ecologically-sound and life-affirming solutions that maximize both occupant health and building longevity. It can be summed with these words:

“The primary job of every home is to create an environment that allows this biological mystery called human life to flourish.”

It was an idea that was decades ahead of its time and is especially apt for today’s emphasis on conservation, sustainability, and green living. It is the cornerstone of my building philosophy.

THE RAIN BARREL EFFECT

Another key concept that underpins the Building Biology philosophy was first postulated by the late Dr. William Rae, Founder and former Director of the prestigious Environmental Health Center in Dallas—but might as well be attributed to Building Biology since it so closely aligns with the Institute’s DNA. That concept is known as “the Rain Barrel analogy”.