Building According to Bioconstruction Principles

While it is sometimes associated solely with the construction of straw or mud houses, the truth is that bioconstruction encompasses much more. In fact, it could be defined in a few words as all architecture that is carried out in harmony with people and the natural environment.

With people, in the sense that we must live in a healthy home, free of pollutants, whose materials breathe, and with healthy indoor air that is naturally renewed.

With the natural environment because today it is not possible to propose a house that is not efficient and sustainable, in the sense that the set of transformation processes of natural and artificial raw materials necessary to carry it out have a zero ecological footprint and whose daily maintenance is carried out using renewable energy sources.

The origins of the professionalization of bioconstruction date back to 1977, when Dr. Anton Schneider founded the Institut für Baubiologie + Nachhaltigkeit IBN (Institute for Building Biology + Sustainability) in Germany, with the aim of studying and disseminating ecological and healthy construction.

Nine years later, in 1996, the Spanish branch of the Institute was founded, which has been led to this day by its main promoter, architect Petra Jebels.

After more than 30 years of history, the Institute of Bioconstruction is a European and international benchmark in ecological and healthy construction, and among other functions, it is dedicated to training architects and construction professionals through a rigorous study program.

A few years ago, the Institute established a series of rules that must be met in every healthy and sustainable building. These 25 rules have become the definition of bioconstruction principles and, to be honest, they are the best-kept secret of our studio, the ones we try to improve with each project and that we have hanging on the office wall.

Let’s begin!

Building Materials and Soundproofing

1- Natural and Unadulterated Materials

A material that cannot be recycled, reused, or degraded during its life cycle should not be considered suitable for construction.

We should, and said in the plural to refer to all responsible parties involved in a construction process, from the developer to the architect, including the builder and control and certification entities, assume the responsibility of not thinking only about the present moment, but about 10, 20, 30, or even 100 years from now when the work degrades, materials need to be replaced, or it needs to be rehabilitated or even demolished.

What happens to the tons and tons of construction materials needed for a project? Is it possible to return them to the natural cycle?

2- Odorless or Pleasant-Smelling Materials That Do Not Emit Toxic Substances

Smell is a sense that is often overlooked in architecture, but it should not be underestimated, as it functions much more unconsciously than sight or touch.

The smell of wood from natural furniture or the vegetation in a patio or garden can change the perception of a room or an entire home.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the composition of materials and their harmlessness to both the environment and people. Most conventional construction products contain some type of toxic substance, many of which are released into the home over the years.

For example, most rock wool insulation products are bonded with formaldehyde, a carcinogenic component that, if it were in any of our homes, we would not want in the walls, and which has been shown to be present in the indoor air of homes insulated with this material.

3- Low Radioactivity Materials

One of the biggest problems with radioactivity is that humans do not have natural sensors to detect it.

The emission of radioactive rays can affect our biological processes or plant growth, among other things. For this reason, we must strive to minimize our exposure to radioactive environments.

Low-radioactivity materials found in architecture are primarily clay, ceramics, wood, and stone, which are also natural and sustainable materials. But be careful! There are some types of stone with certain radioactive activity, especially some types of marble.

4- Acoustic and Anti-Vibration Protection Geared Towards People

To build according to bioconstruction principles, we must also provide acoustic protection.

It must be anticipated that sound filters through the air but also through materials. In the first case, it will be sufficient to place elements that reduce sound transmission through mass, such as a wall.

However, in the second case, to dissipate sound vibrations transmitted through materials, we must ensure that a material is not continuous and that joints with other elements are elastic. That is, we will place different layers of different materials so that vibratory noise is not transmitted directly and loses strength.

Indoor Environment

5- Natural Regulation of Indoor Atmospheric Humidity Through the Use of Hygroscopic Materials

Hygroscopic materials are those capable of absorbing moisture from their surroundings due to their porosity.

Therefore, the humidity in our home will be naturally regulated; these materials will absorb humidity when there is too much in the environment, for example after cooking or showering, and release it when the environment is excessively dry, for example after several hours of heating without natural ventilation.

6- Minimization and Rapid Dissipation of Humidity in New Construction

The construction of a house involves a large amount of water, which causes a significant increase in humidity.

Dissipating all that accumulated water in the environment can be achieved through natural ventilation, but this must be effective and for a considerable period of time, which can be several weeks or even months.

It is necessary to consider that in the past, in Germany, several years could pass after the construction of a new house before its owners occupied it, and this period was specifically intended to allow the drying of the structure.

7- Balanced Proportion of Thermal Insulation and Heat Accumulation

While it is fashionable today to heavily insulate homes as it seems to be the magic formula for energy efficiency, we must not forget that efficiency is also achieved by making materials work in our favor.

In this regard, it is important to combine good insulation with heat accumulation from thick, dense walls that can store solar heat and release it after a few hours.

8- Optimal Surface and Ambient Air Temperatures

It has happened to all of us at some point, either in our own home or a friend’s, to approach a wall and feel that it is freezing cold.

The house may be warm thanks to heating or the body heat of people, but if we do not have good wall insulation and the walls are cold, not only can we suffer from condensation and dampness, but we also have cold radiant surfaces that reduce the efficiency of the heating system.

Of course, the temperature of the home will greatly influence our well-being and comfort. It will be advisable to use materials that are rather warm or capable of accumulating heat from the sun or a radiant heating system.

The ambient air should be at a temperature between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, depending on whether it is a living area, a hallway, or a bathroom where the temperature should be slightly warmer.

9- Good Ambient Air Quality Thanks to Natural Renewal

The reality is that in most homes today, indoor air quality is much lower than outdoor air, in the sense that it is probably more laden with CO₂ and pollutants from the home itself, such as dust, dampness, and mold, and other pollutants from non-natural products or building materials.

Furthermore, most heating systems tend to dry out the environment and reduce relative humidity. Sufficient ambient humidity, around 50%, is necessary for our body to maintain its defenses alert.

10- Radiant Heat for Heating

Did you know that the classic radiator does not work by radiation, but by convection? The heat they emit by radiation is only about 20 to 30%, as their operation is based on heating to a high temperature and generating air convection through the hollow ducts that form them.

Radiant heat par excellence is underfloor or wall heating, which is based on low-temperature heat irradiation through a large surface. This is not only more cost-effective because the water needs to be heated to a lower temperature, but it is also healthier and more durable since we are heating the room through the heat radiated by the materials, not by the movement of hot air. This is without mentioning that radiant heat, operating at low temperatures, does not burn or stir up dust as happens with radiators.

It goes without saying that air heating systems are not only inefficient, as they only heat the air and not the materials, which is the effective and lasting way to heat a space, but they also move dust and dry out the environment, leaving our mucous membranes weakened and our body deprived of defenses.

11- Minimum Alteration of the Natural Radiation Environment

While radiation is naturally present on Earth, whether from the materials themselves, cosmic rays, or radon gas emanating from the ground, the reality is that today humans have created a multitude of artificial radiation sources.

It is important to choose a location free from natural and artificial radiation sources and to limit the presence of emitting materials or appliances.

In case of suspected radon gas presence, official online maps can be found, or ground studies can be conducted if there are doubts.

12- Absence of Electromagnetic Fields and Expanding Radio Waves

Designing biocompatible electrical installations, selecting a house location away from cell phone antennas or high-voltage power lines, opting for wired internet instead of Wi-Fi, foregoing cordless phones or choosing one that only emits during active calls, avoiding microwaves or induction ceramic hobs that generate intense magnetic fields around the container are some of the basic strategies to reduce the presence of electromagnetic fields at home.

All these disturbances are especially relevant during the night when our body needs to rest, and it is important that it can do so free from electromagnetic disturbances in the environment.

13- Reduction of the Presence of Fungi, Bacteria, Dust, and Allergens

The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the environment is closely linked to indoor air quality.

To begin with, we need good material execution of the work; excellent ventilation will be useless if dampness appears on a wall. It is important that the technician carrying out the project supervises the execution of construction details during the work and that these have been designed to prevent condensation and dampness.

Furthermore, it is again important to remember the importance of natural ventilation and direct sunlight in rooms, as sunlight has bactericidal effects.

Environment, Energy, and Water

The first rule of energy efficiency is consumption reduction; from there, the remaining consumption is generated through renewable sources.

15- Building Materials Preferably Sourced Locally and Not Promoting Abusive Exploitation of Raw Materials

Local materials allow us to save on transport and promote the social, economic, and environmental integration of our area. We must, however, ensure that the extraction of these materials occurs in a controlled manner and is appropriate to the environment to which they belong.

16- Prevention of Environmental Problems

There are dozens of actions to prevent environmental problems. For example, reducing water consumption, using recyclable materials, or reducing the consumption of fossil fuels. This will reduce air pollution and waste production.

Our house should integrate into its surroundings, taking advantage of available resources and using them respectfully.

17- Optimal Possible Quality of Drinking Water

Water is a source of life, and the water our house provides, whether through rainwater harvesting, well extraction, or even directly from the public network, should be in excellent condition, as our family’s health depends on it.

It is advisable to periodically study the water we drink and take measures if additional filtering of possible harmful particles is necessary.

Interior Design

18- Respect for Harmonious Dimensions, Proportions, and Forms

The design and layout of a house respond to subjective needs established by the client in each project. For this reason, the adequate sizing of spaces according to these needs, as well as an appropriate floor plan that is comfortable, practical, and coherent, and an architectural morphology integrated into the environment with harmonious forms, are some of the main design factors of a house that will partly determine our well-being within it.

19- Natural Conditions of Light, Lighting, and Color

Furthermore, light and color will be equally important when building according to bioconstruction principles.

Humans are accustomed to the changing light of day, which also produces small changes in colors. Therefore, if we treat our lighting in a way that can adapt to tasks and we use natural light, we will activate our body according to the needs of each moment.

20- Application of Physiological and Ergonomic Knowledge in the Decoration and Equipping of Interior Space

Ensuring our posture is correct when sitting in a chair or that kitchen furniture does not force us into awkward movements are some examples to avoid discomfort and unnecessary pain.

Site

21- Absence of Natural and Artificial Disturbances on the Site

Regarding natural disturbances, we can find underground water currents or the presence of radon gas, among others.

Regarding artificial disturbances, we can find, for example, the presence of high-voltage power lines or nearby cell phone antennas. Sometimes artificial disturbances can come from a neighbor, such as Wi-Fi or DECT emissions.

In case of doubt, it is always advisable to commission a bioconstruction measurement.

22- Homes Away from Sources of Polluting Emissions and Noise

We will also try to stay away from polluting emissions and noise, such as train lines, highways, or factories. Continuous annoyance can decrease our quality of life.

23- Decentralized and Flexible Construction Method in Landscaped Developments

Beyond the scope of the dwelling itself, at an urban level, it is important to avoid mass housing developments that are built in series without any adaptation to the family that will occupy them.

Furthermore, urban planning should always integrate the presence of green spaces in contact with residential areas.

24- Housing and Residential Environment, Closely Related to Nature, Dignified, and Compatible with Family Life

Of course, the interaction of the environment and nature with the residents of the home is one of the great advantages of a dispersed residential setting.

Building a house that does not close in on itself, but rather relates to its immediate surroundings and allows us to make it compatible with family and work life, is one of the principles of bioconstruction.

25- Absence of Negative Social Consequences

We cannot have a healthy and sustainable home if we do not live in a healthy and sustainable environment, and this is not just a matter of housing, but of community.