Baubiologie (or 'Building Biology') first developed in Germany in the 1970's. Pioneered by Professor Anton Schneider, who in 1976 set up his 'Institute for Building Biology and Ecology', it is the study of the impact of the built environment on human life and the environment. It is an holistic approach, intended to create an environment in harmony with nature, both inside and outside the building, and to take into account the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the humans living and working inside.

It suggests the home can be seen as an organism, or 'third skin', and studies the interaction and relationships between humans and the living environment. When humans, buildings and the environment are in harmony with each other, healthier, more harmonious and more productive environments can be created. It takes nature as its role model, and is designed to be not so expensive that it becomes a luxury item for the rich. There are 25 principles of Baubiologie, which are listed below:

1. A building site shall be geologically undisturbed.
2. Residential homes are best located away from industrial centres and main traffic routes.
3. Housing shall be developed in a decentralised and loose manner interlaced with sufficient green space.
4. Housing and developments shall be personalised, in harmony with nature, fit for human habitation and family orientated.
5. Natural and unadulterated building materials shall be used.
6. Walls, floors and ceilings shall be diffusible and hygroscopic.
7. Indoor air humidity shall be regulated naturally.
8. Air pollutants need to be filtered and neutralised.
9. An appropriate balance of thermal insulation and heat retention is needed.
10. The air and surface temperatures of a given room need to be optimised.
11. A heating system shall feature radiant heat using as much (passive) solar heat as possible.
12. The total moisture content of a new building shall be low and dry out quickly.
13. A building shall have a pleasant or neutral smell. No toxins shall outgas.
14. Light, lighting and colour shall be in accord with natural conditions.
15. Protective measures against noise pollution as well as infrasonic and ultrasonic vibrations need to be human orientated.
16. Only building materials with little or preferably no radioactivity shall be used.
17. The natural balance of atmospheric electricity and ion concentration shall be maintained.
18. The Earth's natural magnetic field shall not be altered or distorted.
19. Man-made electromagnetic radiation shall be eliminated (or reduced as much as possible).
20. Cosmic and terrestrial radiation is essential and shall be interfered with as little as possible.
21. Interior and furniture design shall be based on physiological findings.
22. Harmonic measures, proportions and shapes need to be taken into consideration.
23. The production, installation and disposal of building materials shall not contribute to environmental pollution and high energy costs.
24. Building activities shall not contribute to the exploitation of non-renewable and rare resources.
25. Building activities shall not cause a rise in social and medical costs.

(Taken from "The 25 principles of 'Baubiologie', IBN Institut fur Baubiologie & Oekologie").