Building Biology vs. Green Building: Why Your Home’s Health Matters More Than You Think
Most people assume that if a building is energy-efficient or sustainably built, it must be good for their health. But what if I told you that’s not always the case?
When I first discovered Building Biology, I thought, Wait, why have I never heard of this before? After years in the design and build industry, I was floored to realise how little attention we give to how our homes affect our health.
We talk about sustainability. We talk about aesthetics. But the way a home supports or harms our well-being? That conversation is barely happening.
It wasn’t until I went deep into Building Biology that I saw the massive gap between standard building practices and what truly makes a home a healthy, thriving environment.
What Makes Building Biology Different?
Building Biology stands apart from related fields like Building Science or Green Building because it puts human health first—without compromising sustainability or performance. Here’s how it compares:
• Building Science: Focuses on how systems in a house work or fail, prioritising functionality and efficiency. While valuable, it often overlooks the interaction between a building and its occupants’ health.
• Green Building: Emphasises sustainability and energy efficiency, but can sacrifice occupant health with synthetic materials or airtight designs.
• Building Biology: Prioritises human health while integrating sustainability and building science principles. What I truly love is its commitment to nature as the gold standard, rooted in the principles of human evolution. For millions of years, humans thrived in natural environments where air, water, light, and materials supported life effortlessly—we can’t change this!
A green building might save energy but fail to address indoor air quality. Building science might optimise insulation but overlook how materials impact health. Building Biology ties it all together so beautifully, placing health at the centre.
And what I truly love about it? It takes nature as the gold standard.
Humans thrived for millions of years in natural environments where air, water, light, and materials supported life effortlessly. That’s what Building Biology tries to recreate—a home that works with, not against, human biology.
The 25 Principles of Building Biology
Dr. Anton Schneider’s 25 Principles focus on creating spaces that align with nature and human biology. Key principles include:
• Air Quality: Promote natural ventilation and avoid synthetic materials that off-gas toxins.
• Water Purity: Filter water to remove contaminants like chlorine and heavy metals.
• Materials: Use natural, unadulterated materials like wood, clay, and wool.
• Thermal Comfort: Design breathable walls and use radiant heating for balanced indoor temperatures.
• Light: Emphasise natural light and minimise disruption to circadian rhythms.
• Electromagnetic Safety: Limit EMF exposure through thoughtful design.
These principles aren’t about reinventing the wheel—they’re about recreating the conditions our ancestors thrived in. Simple, right?
The Breathing Home: A Home That Works With You, Not Against You
One of my favourite concepts in Building Biology is the Breathing Home.
Unlike modern airtight buildings, a Breathing Home allows air, moisture, and energy to flow naturally. This prevents mould, traps fewer pollutants, and maintains thermal comfort without excessive reliance on artificial systems.
It treats the home as a living organism, where:
• Air circulates naturally, supporting respiratory health.
• Water moves cleanly, avoiding stagnation or contamination.
• Materials interact harmoniously, free from harmful chemicals.
• Energy flows sustainably, with passive climate controls and minimal reliance on artificial systems.
Ever walked into a home and instantly felt refreshed—like you could breathe easier? That’s what a Breathing Home feels like.
In my home, I’ve embraced this by ensuring proper ventilation, keeping windows open, and using non-toxic paints and materials that allow the walls to breathe.
And let me tell you—it makes a difference.
Building Biology in Action
You don’t need to build a house from scratch to embrace Building Biology. Small, intentional changes can have a big impact:
• Replace synthetic furnishings with natural alternatives to reduce VOCs.
• Install water filters to remove harmful chemicals from drinking and bathing water.
• Use full-spectrum light bulbs to mimic natural sunlight and support your circadian rhythms (hello to amazing sleep scores!).
• Create low-EMF zones by hardwiring devices and keeping routers out of bedrooms.
At home and with clients, I’ve implemented circadian lighting, cut-off switches, non-toxic paints, and air purifiers. (Plus more—but baby steps here. I’ll go into more detail later) My space breathes, it supports my health, and yes—it looks and feels amazing too!
Why Building Biology Matters to Me
For me, Building Biology isn’t just a design philosophy—it’s a way of living.
It’s changed how I see my home and redefined what luxury means for both myself and my clients. True luxury isn’t just about beauty or high-end finishes; it’s about creating a space that nurtures and supports your well-being inside and out.
I want you to experience this too.
It’s taught me to see homes as ecosystems that can heal, inspire, and protect. Something so needed in the world we live in today.
As always, I’m so grateful you’re here. Please subscribe to stay updated. upcoming posts, I’ll dive deeper into practical ways to integrate these principles—even if you’re in the heart of the city.
Shreya's illuminating exploration of Building Biology revolutionizes how we think about our homes, expertly challenging the common assumption that sustainability automatically equals health. She skillfully guides readers through this often-overlooked discipline, contrasting it with conventional Building Science and Green Building approaches while highlighting how Building Biology uniquely prioritizes human wellness without sacrificing environmental responsibility. Shreya's explanation of the "Breathing Home" concept is particularly compelling—reframing our living spaces as dynamic ecosystems that should work with our biology rather than against it. What makes her piece exceptional is its accessibility; rather than presenting Building Biology as an all-or-nothing proposition requiring new construction, Shreya offers practical, incremental changes anyone can implement to create healthier living environments. Her genuine passion and personal implementation of these principles lends authenticity to the writing, making a persuasive case that true luxury in home design isn't found in high-end finishes or aesthetic trends, but in spaces thoughtfully crafted to nurture our wellbeing from the inside out.