Most new homes off-gas for years. Glued plywood, spray foam, vinyl siding, asphalt shingles, and conventional paint all release compounds that a healthy body tolerates and a sensitive one cannot. Building Biology is the international standard for building without them.
Building Biology began in Germany in 1970, when the Healthy Building, Healthy Living society collected the knowledge of healthier construction that was disappearing from the trades. It is organized into 25 principles covering site, materials, indoor climate, electromagnetic exposure, and the wellbeing of the people inside. There are certification programs in the United States. None of them go as far.
Solid wood and plywood with formaldehyde-free binders. Mineral wool or dense-pack cellulose instead of spray foam. Lime and clay plasters, zero-VOC finishes, real tile and wood floors.
Vapor-open wall assemblies that dry in both directions, so mold never has a place to start.
Balanced ventilation with heat recovery, and no ductwork that cannot be cleaned.
Wiring routed and shielded to keep bedrooms low in electric and magnetic fields. Hard-wired internet where you sleep.
Radiant and hydronic systems, or ductless inverter heat pumps, chosen for quiet, even comfort without blown dust.
Seth is a student of Building Biology and a certified Building Science practitioner. He is not yet a certified Building Biology consultant, and does not claim to be. For every healthy-home project, a Building Biology consultant from the Healthy Building Alliance joins the team to specify materials and test the finished house. Seth builds to that specification and holds every trade to it. He introduces clients to the consultant personally when the project reaches that stage.
In 2024 Seth developed an autoimmune condition with a severe sensitivity to the toxins common on job sites and inside new houses. He knows what it is to live in a building that works against you.
Fourteen questions, then a phone call from Seth if the project is a fit.
