https://ojs.acad-pub.com/index.php/BE <p><em>Building Engineering</em> (BE) is an international, scientific, peer-reviewed, open access journal on building science, building engineering, and architecture. Research based on the construction, operation, performance, maintenance, and deterioration of buildings are welcomed. We encourage researchers to publish their innovative ideas and results in as much detail as possible.</p> Academic Publishing Pte. Ltd. en-US Building Engineering 3029-2670 https://ojs.acad-pub.com/index.php/BE/article/view/1946 <p>Assessing the performance of a multi-storey building equipped with a mechanically ventilated photovoltaic-double skin façade (photovoltaic-DSF) system during cold weather conditions is crucial. This is because the demand for heating in buildings rises as outdoor temperatures decrease. This study formulates and verifies mathematical models to evaluate the energy performance of a building integrated with a mechanically ventilated photovoltaic-double skin façade (photovoltaic-DSF) system in Jaipur’s cold climate, which is part of India’s composite climate zone. The system was installed and observed during the winter months (December to February). The experimental design utilised a Taguchi L25 orthogonal array, considering variables such as air cavity thickness, air velocity, and photovoltaic (PV) panel transparency. Based on experimental findings, multiple linear regression analysis was used to predict three key performance metrics: The solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), photovoltaic panel electrical output, and indoor daylight illuminance, all as influenced by the design parameters. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed the statistical significance of these relationships, and the model demonstrated a strong correlation with field measurements (<i>R</i>² &gt; 0.90), validating the accuracy of the developed mathematical correlations. The analysis reveals that a photovoltaic DSF system integrated into a multi-storey building, featuring a photovoltaic panel with 50% transparency, an air velocity of 5 m/s, and a 50 mm air cavity, achieves maximum energy performance under cold climate conditions in a composite climate. These insights can help in designing energy-efficient photovoltaic-DSF systems specifically optimised for winter conditions in composite climate zones.</p> Sajan Preet Sanjay Mathur Jyotirmay Mathur Stefan Thor Smith Himanshu Saini Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 2025-04-01 2025-04-01 3 2 1946 1946 10.59400/be1946 https://ojs.acad-pub.com/index.php/BE/article/view/2100 <p>Climate change and the urgency of decarbonizing the built environment drive technological innovation in delivering thermal comfort to occupants. Studies have shown that thermal discomfort can lead to a decline in students’ cognitive function, motivation, absenteeism, and a decrease in instructors’ work performance. This article reviews significant changes, developments, and trends in thermal comfort research for educational facilities classrooms. This study summarizes research regarding the importance of environmental comfort in education facilities, different climatic regions, and various parameters that play a vital role in determining thermal comfort. The investigation of the current literature showed that researchers focused on different issues, adopting diverse models and indices to investigate thermal comfort in classrooms. Indeed, even if the environmental conditions comply with standards, in several cases, a prolonged stay indoors affects the health and productivity of students. However, it is important to focus on students’ preferences in different regions, climates, and educational stages to create healthy and human-centered buildings. It is also clear that current research trends mainly focus on cold regions of Europe, while, by educational level, secondary-stage classrooms are the least investigated; thus, further investigation is needed. Therefore, an integrated approach that considers both the positive and negative effects of indoor exposure is needed, including the individual preferences and needs of occupants in the least researched regions, such as Asia and Africa.</p> Huda Riaz Ahmad Riaz Amna Iqbal Norheen Amina Sunera Imtiaz Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 2025-04-02 2025-04-02 3 2 2100 2100 10.59400/be2100