In this review paper we have discussed the existing state-of-the-art practices of improved intelligent features, controlling parameters and Internet of things (IoT) infrastructure required for smart building. The main focus is on sensing, controlling the IoT infrastructure which enables the cloud clients to use a virtual sensing infrastructure using communication protocols. The following are some of the intelligent features that usually make building smart such as privacy and security, network architecture, health services, sensors for sensing, safety and overall management in smart buildings. As we know, the internet of things (IoT) describes the ability to connect and control the appliances through the network in smart buildings. The development of sensing technology, control techniques and IoT infrastructure give rise to a smart building more efficient. Therefore, the new and problematic innovation of smart buildings in the context of IoT is to a great extent and scattered. The conducted review organised in a scientific manner for future research direction which presents the existing challenges, and drawbacks.

This review presents an overview of the existing state-of-the-art practices of improved performance in buildings required for the algorithmic logic and/or hardware. The main focus is on sensor-actuator-based applications in intelligent buildings like air quality, lighting, heating/cooling, ventilation, power management, water management, cooking gas management, and building health monitoring. The following are some of the major factors that usually rule in the development of intelligent buildings, such as good accuracy of the system, energy efficiency, response time of the sensor module, cost of the overall system, radio frequency interference, adequate signal-to-noise ratio, open interface capability, and intricacy of computation. The importance of the concerned issues and factors are discussed in detail for future research directions.

This review presents the existing state‐of‐the‐art practices of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in naturally ventilated school buildings and is mainly focused on the components of IEQ like thermal comfort, indoor air quality with ventilation, and visual and acoustic comfort. This article also discusses the impacts of COVID‐19 on naturally ventilated school buildings, highlighting the obviousness of dynamic applications that concentrate on reducing COVID‐19 effects in naturally ventilated school buildings. The importance of the concerned issues and factors are discussed in detail for future research direction. This review is a step toward the development of the IEQ standard for naturally ventilated school buildings.

Many countries in the Global South have hot and dry climates with large diurnal temperature variations, which leads to large demand for space cooling—which is likely to increase with climate change. A common approach to dampen the indoor temperature fluctuations and thus reduce cooling energy demand is the use of thermal mass. However, the use of lightweight structures in many cities (e.g., high-rise structures, or for earthquake protection) precludes the use of traditional forms of thermal mass. Therefore, phase change materials (PCMs) are being widely developed as thermal energy storage systems for building applications. However, challenges such as leakage of PCMs in liquid state and their low thermal conductivity, still limit their applications in buildings. In this paper, we review the potential of Form or Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Materials (SSPCMs), which are developed by incorporating the PCM into a supporting matrix to prevent leakage in liquid state whilst improving thermal conductivity. We review different methods of preparation and the resultant thermal properties and chemical stability. We find good evidence in the literature for SSPCMs to reduce PCM leakage in liquid state, dampen indoor temperature fluctuations, and potentially alleviate peak energy demand by shifting peak loads to off-peak periods.