Bio-reconciliation in architectural design: a dialectical synthesis of biophilia and biophobia for urban health and sustainability

Source abstract

Biophilia, the human affinity for nature, enhances urban well-being, whereas biophobia, defined as an aversion to certain natural stimuli, can undermine these benefits – particularly in dense cities where natural contact is limited. This study introduces Bio-reconciliation, a novel dialectical synthesis of biophilia and biophobia that guides architectural design toward health and sustainability. Using a PRISMA-ScR – guided scoping review of 51 studies (2006–2024) from Scopus and Google Scholar, supplemented by seminal works since 1964, the research maps the evolution of biophilic design and its health implications through Kellert’s (2008) framework. Findings reveal that balanced design strategies – such as modulating light to reduce glare, curating vegetation to minimize allergen exposure, and integrating filtered water features to stabilize physiological stress – strengthen restorative effects and urban resilience. Bio-reconciliation thus offers architects an evidence-based paradigm that unites the restorative power of nature with risk-mitigating design, advancing biophilic design from a descriptive concept to a theoretically grounded and operational model for healthier, more sustainable cities.