Following the model of the German Institute of Building Biology & Sustainability (IBN, or Bau-Biologie Institut) and a ‘climate ready’ approach as closely as possible, our service promotes the following:-

Energy use:

• Minimizing building’s energy usage and carbon footprint, including the application of low energy, fabric-first design principles for new-build standards (PassivHaus).
• Retrofit design and co-ordination for low energy refurbishment of existing buildings, again using fabric-first design principles espoused by the following standards (AECB Carbonlite Retrofit; The Retrofit Academy; PassivHaus EnerPHit).

Use of materials:

• Advice on the selection and specification of benign natural, or man-made materials which allow the building fabric to promote and support correct environmental function.  These materials work in harmony with the building and its occupants.  This is important for buildings which are more sealed up, against draughts and heat loss.

Historic buildings:

• Care, repair and adaptation of historic buildings, including conservation, rationalization, conversion and extension.  Wherever possible we use traditional or natural materials which allow new interventions to act in balance with the original buildings, even after retrofit changes.

Building pathology and defects:

• Help to analyze and remedy the causes and effects of building degradation and deterioration.  This includes damp, mould and condensation and other defects.  Factual witness work and expert witness reports to Part 35 Civil Procedure Rules is also undertaken.

Humane architecture:

• Advice and guidance surrounding the alteration of existing, or creation of new building environments which are positively nurturing and consider the need for protection, sheltering as well as being uplifting.  The aim is not only to place the occupants at the centre of our design consideration but also to respect the surrounding context of its wider environment.  This area of interest is also informed by Feng Shui.

Feng Shui:

• The approach here is after the teaching of the late but respected Robert Gray.  It is pragmatic and accessible to Western thinking, tapping into our human intuition, on which we should all be able to draw.  Our design considerations follow this model.

Pollutants & Electromagnetic Fields

• Increasingly, many aspects of our developing man-made environment, which are promoted to improve our lives, simultaneously challenge the prospect of healthy living today.  Our thirst for convenience, communication and faster, more capable technology, comes at a price.  The ultimate cost of this progress to humans, all other living organisms and the Earth’s ecosystem generally is unknown and untested.  We are able to promote design considerations aimed at mitigating the effects of modern pollutants, including EMFs, as far as influencing constraints permit.
• NOTE:
• If you are interested in the impact of electromagnetic radiation in the environment with regard to living in buildings, you may also be interested in visiting our sister website, www.emfsurveys.co.uk for more information or to find out about having an EMF survey.