With the recent dramatic growth of the building sector’s energy consumption to provide thermal comfort to consumers, the constraints of climate change and the scarcity of energy supplies have necessitated a wiser and more effective reduction in the amount consumed. As a result, phase change materials (PCMs) have attracted much interest as latent heat thermal storage systems in recent decades. This paper aims to explain the possibility of using PCMs in buildings by establishing an overall conceptual framework for the processes of selecting and integrating PCMs in building sector applications. Moreover, it leads to a comprehensive matrix that identifies the best and most common type of material for each building’s component, as well as its temperature and thickness properties, its thermal impact, and the most popular integration techniques. The findings show paraffin as the major used type in all building components, while salt hydrate is employed in facades. The most prevalent incorporating technique is macro-encapsulation, which prevails in most building components with its direct effect on cooling and heating applications.

With the recent large increase in the building sector's energy use to provide thermal comfort to consumers, the restrictions of climate change, and the scarcity of energy supplies, there has been a need to develop ways to reduce energy consumption. The use of phase change materials (PCMs) as a thermal energy storage (TES) system has attracted a lot of attention as a technique to improve thermal performance, conserve energy, and improve occupant comfort. When storing energy via phase change, the key advantage in terms of building materials is the higher energy density, which indicates that more energy can be stored in a constant volume. This study focuses on the vital role of PCMs in building applications by presenting the different classifications of PCMs as well as their integration techniques, systems, and benefits for building applications. Different case studies for full scale buildings are presented. A design strategy is concluded for integrating PCMs in buildings.

The increasing challenges of urbanization and environmental degradation have led to a greater need for built environments that minimize ecological consequences while actively contributing to ecosystem services (ES). Bio-Inspired Design (BID) is a promising approach that translates natural-system ideas into architectural and urban solutions. This study investigates how BID can be used to deliver and improve ecosystem services, like climate regulation, air purification, and energy, in the built environment, focusing on applications in hot climates and at the meso scale. The study conducts a qualitative and integrative analysis of bio-inspired concepts derived from existing research and innovative practices. It examines specific ecosystem services—selected based on previous studies—and illustrates how these strategies can improve environmental performance in urban contexts. A conceptual framework for linking biological analogies to urban functions is proposed. The framework emphasizes the interdisciplinary relationships between architecture, urban design, material science, and environmental engineering. This provides a helpful guide for researchers and practitioners on how to use BID to enhance sustainability results. The study suggests that incorporating BID principles into urban design procedures can potentially transform built environments into active contributors to ecosystem functioning, enabling them to provide ES rather than merely consuming resources. While this conclusion is conceptual, the framework highlights pathways for more resilient and sustainable urban futures.