Building Biology impact the construction of future homes

Building Biology focuses on the impact of the built environment on human health. It recognises that homes can unknowingly harbour elements that affect our biological systems during the home-building process. Building biology is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on creating healthy and sustainable indoor environments.

By definition Building biology, also known as Bau-biologie, is the study of the relationship between buildings and their occupants and how it affects their health and well-being. It is important to adhere to the guidelines to ensure safe levels of exposure to various harmful environmental factors. These guidelines apply to new and existing buildings, creating a healthy living space supporting overall well-being.

Your home helps in creating the right conditions and environment for your physical and mental comfort. However, some homes may create health concerns of various types. Can you recall that in some places, you can't get proper sleep even if you are the type of person who can hit the bed and snore away instantly? Or that you experience respiratory problems in some homes? These are signs of a poor environment within these spaces.

In housebuilding, what are the key Building Biology guidelines?

Building Biology focuses on how to construct homes free of harmful elements. Some of the key Building Biology guidelines are:

Electronic Devices: Limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields from electronic devices at high levels can contribute to health issues.

Electromagnetic fields: Avoiding electromagnetic field distortions caused by natural or man-made factors beneath living areas such as power lines, Wi-Fi, cell phones, and electrical devices. It promotes strategies to minimize exposure and create low-EMF (electromagnetic field) environments.

Air Quality: Ensuring indoor air is free of toxins from materials, furnishings, and household products, e.g. pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, mold, and allergens.

Construction Materials: Choosing non-toxic materials for construction, paints, flooring, furniture, and fittings to prevent toxic emissions. Favoured materials include materials such as natural wood, clay, stone, and natural fibers.

Water: Ensuring that drinking, cooking, and bathing water is healthy. And, a focus on removing the presence of contaminants such as lead, chlorine, pesticides, and bacteria. It promotes the use of water filtration systems to ensure clean and healthy water for drinking and bathing.

Design: Designing building orientation and spaces and layouts for comfort, functionality, psychological well-being, and ease of use. Building biology considers the design and orientation of buildings to optimize natural lighting, ventilation, and thermal comfort. It aims to create spaces that are energy-efficient and promote a connection with nature Bedroom Health: Prioritising bedroom health, as sleep, is crucial for physical and mental recuperation and well-being.

Sound and Noise: Building biology recognizes the impact of noise on human health and well-being. It promotes strategies to minimize noise pollution and create acoustically comfortable indoor environments. Sustainable Building Practices: Building biology encourages sustainable building practices, including energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, waste reduction, and environmentally friendly construction methods.

Education and Certification: Building biology professionals often undergo specialized training and certification programs to gain expertise in creating healthy indoor environments. Organisations such as the International Institute for Building Biology and Ecology (IBE) provide education and certification in building biology principles and practices. It's important to note that building biology is a dynamic field, and practices may evolve over time as new research and technologies emerge to improve the health and sustainability of indoor environments.

So, how can Building Biology principles be introduced during new construction?

Building Biology principles can be introduced during new construction, renovations, or assessments of existing homes. They include:

• Taking into account biological, psychological, and sensory factors while designing a home and selecting healthy materials.
• Conducting a health check for electromagnetic fields, geopathic stress, indoor air quality, and other hazards.
• Examining room design, bedding, lighting, and energy balance for optimal sleep.

In housebuilding, what is the Precautionary Principle of Building Biology?

Building Biology follows the Precautionary Principle. It involves promoting preventive actions when risks exist to health and the environment.

And, who created the concept of Building Biology?

The concept of Building Biology first emerged in post-war Germany to address health and ecological concerns in housing. It has since spread globally to become a respected authority on healthy building design.

In modern times, prioritising health in home construction is vital. Building Biology acknowledges the interrelation of human biology and the built environment. It emphasises that a home's purpose goes beyond shelter, promoting health, comfort, and well-being. To create a healthy home, you can choose from various approaches. These include implementing healthy home designs, conducting surveys, and focusing on healthy bedrooms.

Regardless of the stage of construction or the processes involved - building new, renovating, or improving existing spacesBuilding Biology offers practical strategies for a healthier living environment.

The two factors to getting new homes built in the UK are: land and construction. The latter will increasingly see the prevalence of building biology. Of course there are some locational factors that impact - there is such a thing as bad land. If finding land suitable for development is a challenge for you then perhaps you should try VirginLand by Ringley.

How to find good land for development and housebuilding in the UK

VirginLand by Ringley is The Ringley Group's land team, we find virgin land as well as properties suitable for permitted development. Virgin land is your outsourced land team, we have sophisticated tools to target and bring forward off-market land opportunities and an array of data sources and data overlays so that land opportunities we bring forward are presented to Clients with a planning report. So, if the availability of land with good planning prospects is stopping your building get in touch with Dan or Charlie today.