The present paper compares classical control systems with knowledge-ba
sed systems in the control of building designs to achieved comfort con
ditions. Initially the goal has been the minimization of energy usage.
For this target, thermostats and PID controllers have been employed.
Adaptive and ad hoc first-generation controller implemented for the im
provement of specific problems are described next. The achievement of
thermal and visual comfort conditions within living and working space
fits the application of fuzzy logic expert systems. The structure of a
fuzzy control system is described. This paper also discusses the capa
bilities of the fuzzy logic expert system in the achievement of optima
l resource management in passive-building designs.