How to heat a building biology-based flagship project? A subject that has plenty of options and even more opinions. After careful consideration, we decided on the following concept (design by Frank Hartmann, Building System Technician, Building Biology Consulting Office IBN): Heat generation: Primary pellet furnace, net power output of 10 kW (8 kW water, 2 […]
IBN Building
The IBN building, a former grocery store from 1955, was transformed in 2014 into a 2700-square-foot sustainable plus energy house using renewable materials. It features an allergy-friendly model apartment, emphasizes a healthy indoor climate, and reduces electrosmog. It serves as a flagship project for building biology.
External thermal insulation composite system
External thermal insulation composite systems are mostly made of insulation materials and related adhesives and plasters, which are rejected in building biology, for example, due to nonpermeable materials, toxic ingredients, problematic fire performance, contaminated soil and groundwater as a result of leaching algicides and fungicides, as well as other problems during the life cycle of […]
Measuring airtightness
Our flagship project is a so-called Plusenergiehaus or energy-plus building, which means that more energy is generated (ca. 7500 kWh/year) than consumed (ca. 4700 kWh/year). To reach this goal, the building envelope must be particularly airtight so that heat does not leak to the outside. The blower-door test is carried out twice (for an explanation, […]
Blown-in wood chip insulation
Dedicated cavities between the rafters, in the exterior and interior wood frame wall assemblies of the upper floor as well as in the external thermal insulation composite system on the ground floor are insulated with blown-in wood chip insulation (U-value of 0.040 W/m2K, bulk density ca. 45 kg/m3). This type of insulation—like the installed wood […]
Building biology wiring system
Reducing electrosmog according to the Standard of Building Biology Testing Methods is an important feature of any building based on building biology criteria. ELF electromagnetic fields are minimized by implementing the following strategies: Use of zero-halogen and shielded cables and electrical boxes (including a complete upgrade of any pre-existing wiring) as well as selection of […]
Demagnetizing building steel
In the beginning, the ring beam was designed to be reinforced by a fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP). Due to the curved shape of the building, some curved parts were required for which no license was available yet. As an alternative, conventional steel reinforcement was used. These steel rods as well as some steel trusses were properly […]
The new IBN building and the 25 Principles of Building Biology
In January, the construction of the new IBN building got underway. We recommend using the 25 Principles of Building Biology, which were developed by the IBN 30 years ago, as a basis and checklist for the holistic assessment or design of buildings. So what could be more natural than to measure the new IBN building by […]
Building biology testing methods
Prior to entering into a purchase agreement and getting started with the first plans, the property and the existing building were surveyed according to the Standard of Building Biology Testing Methods. The pictures show how Johannes Schmidt, a member of the IBN team, takes measurements of, for example, radio-frequency radiation (RF) and radioactivity.Based on the […]
