<![CDATA[The increasing energy consumption and environmental impacts in the building sector demand adaptive and sustainable material innovations. Smart materials offer this potential; however, previous studies remain partial and have not provided integrated criteria for their evaluation and implementation. This study aims to identify the key criteria of smart materials and analyze their contributions to environmental performance and building energy efficiency. The method used is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). A total of 31 articles were rigorously selected from 598 initial publications through stages of research question formulation, literature search and selection, data extraction, and comparative analysis. The results indicate that the main criteria consist of four aspects: (1) adaptive capability, (2) energy efficiency, (3) life-cycle sustainability, and (4) technological integration. Various smart materials, such as electrochromic, thermochromic, shape memory, hygromorphic, piezoelectric, and self-healing materials, have been proven to improve environmental control, energy efficiency, and building service life. This study produces a more systematic and integrative comparative framework and provides practical guidance for designers in selecting performance-based materials. Further research is recommended to include empirical testing, energy simulations, life cycle assessment (LCA), and applications in tropical climates.]]>
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