Building Biology Magazine

Global Earth Overshoot Day occurs earlier every year. According to the calculations by the Global Footprint Network, this marks the date when humanity has used up all of nature's resources for the entire year.

Stefan Sellner became the new director of the Institute of Building Biology + Sustainability (IBN) at the beginning of 2026. In this interview, Sellner discusses his decision to take on the role, explaining what building biology can achieve today and why the IBN is still needed.

Plastics have become an indispensable part of modern construction. However, most conventional plastics are derived from fossil fuels, which significantly contribute to increased CO2 emissions. Bioplastics offer a promising alternative. This article highlights their properties, current applications in construction, and future potential.

Get creative and express yourself! Natural paints and plasters can be used to create modern, attractive designs. Suitable products are available from various manufacturers and can be made by experienced craftspeople, or even yourself.

Health-conscious homeowners are increasingly demanding that no steel parts be used in floor slabs and ceilings so as not to distort the Earth's magnetic field, especially in sleeping areas. In an investigation that looked at two different types of floor slabs in wood frame houses, it was shown that fiberglass reinforcement maintains the naturally occurring Earth's magnetic field and does not distort it.

Mobile communications infrastructure is nearly universal, and almost everyone uses mobile devices. This raises the question of how we, especially our children, are affected by the associated exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation. As mobile communications technologies advance, democratic, ecological, and health-related considerations should guide the process, including minimizing RF radiation exposure as much as possible.

The design of the exemplary apartment buildings offers an alternative to highly complex building designs. They were constructed using monolithic wall structures made of wood, masonry, and concrete with simple details. This strategy was tested through continuous monitoring over a period of two years. The results are summarized below.

We would like to install a photovoltaic system on our roof. However, a friend advised against it, claiming that these systems cause high levels of electromagnetic pollution. Is this true? How can we avoid this?

Climate-neutral for 40 years: In Verden, Germany, a multifamily house was built using wood and straw. Its impressive material and energy concept includes a building enclosure with high-performance thermal insulation made of straw, passive and active solar energy systems, and large electricity and solar heat storage systems. According to a comprehensive life cycle assessment, the building will be climate neutral for the first 40 years, after which it will continue to emit minimal amounts of carbon dioxide.

Advice from sleep expert Prof. Dr. med. h. c. Günther W. Amann-Jennson. His most important principle: Don't worry about sleep! Sleep regulates itself if the basic conditions are right.