This paper provides an overview of simulation-based optimization methods applied to building performance analysis, highlighting recent advances and potential challenges. Key discussions include handling discontinuous multi-modal optimization problems, performance and selection of optimization algorithms, multi-objective optimization, surrogate model application, optimization under uncertainty, and integrating optimization techniques into real-world design challenges. The paper also reviews bibliographic information on simulation programs, optimization tools, efficiency of optimization methods, and trends in optimization studies. Future research should focus on improving the efficiency of search techniques and approximation methods for large-scale building optimization problems, reducing time and effort, and quantifying the robustness of optimal solutions to enhance building performance stability.This paper provides an overview of simulation-based optimization methods applied to building performance analysis, highlighting recent advances and potential challenges. Key discussions include handling discontinuous multi-modal optimization problems, performance and selection of optimization algorithms, multi-objective optimization, surrogate model application, optimization under uncertainty, and integrating optimization techniques into real-world design challenges. The paper also reviews bibliographic information on simulation programs, optimization tools, efficiency of optimization methods, and trends in optimization studies. Future research should focus on improving the efficiency of search techniques and approximation methods for large-scale building optimization problems, reducing time and effort, and quantifying the robustness of optimal solutions to enhance building performance stability.