Establish a baseline.
Set location, orientation, room size, construction, glazing and gains.
CASCA in practice
Different questions.
A common basis for decisions.
From a whole-building design review to a home improvement or research study, use CASCA while the assumptions can still change.
01 / Design
Which option should
we take forward?
Compare glazing, shading and construction before specifications are fixed. Bring the consequences into the design review while there is room to act on them.
Early appraisal
Explore competing façade strategies against the same design assumptions.
A clearer review
Use the outputs to discuss the trade-offs with clients and the wider design team.
02 / Façade
What else does
this detail change?
Connect glazing properties, external shading and façade construction to conditions inside the room—and to the wider carbon assessment.
Envelope engineering
Inspect energy, thermal comfort, daylight and acoustic implications alongside the material choice.
Consulting
Make the assessment assumptions and output context available for a technical conversation.
03 / Research
Which assumptions
matter most?
Use controlled scenario studies to investigate design relationships. Keep the assessment basis consistent while changing a selected input.
A repeatable study begins with a clear boundary and a question that the outputs can answer.
- Scenario testing
- Vary glazing, construction, location, weather, gains or comfort criteria.
- Sensitivity studies
- Investigate which assumptions have the strongest influence on the results.
- Method comparison
- Review calculation approaches, assumptions and benchmark cases on a consistent basis.
04 / Teaching
Change one variable.
Explain what follows.
Make building performance tangible in a studio, seminar or technical module. Connect the design move to the pattern in the results.
Suggested teaching exercise / A glazing and shading study.
Change an assumption.
Choose another glazing type, change the glazed area or test an external shade.
Make the argument.
Use energy, comfort, daylight and carbon evidence to explain the consequences.
Discuss access for a course, research group or design studio.
Talk about academic access ↗05 / Real estate
Understand the options.
Before the commitment.
For developers, property teams and asset owners: compare new-build and retrofit strategies through operational energy, comfort and whole-life carbon.
Make the performance brief part of the investment conversation.
- Early option appraisal
- Explore material, glazing and construction alternatives before committing to a specification.
- Retrofit discussions
- Investigate insulation, shading and glazing changes with their implications for occupied conditions.
- Technical due diligence
- Bring a clear set of assumptions and performance questions to your design and consulting teams.
06 / Homeowners & consumers
Know what a design
choice could change.
Explore the implications of glazing, insulation, shading and room assumptions when planning a new home or improvement.
A more informed conversation with your architect or consultant.
- Comfort through the seasons
- Explore how design choices influence winter warmth and summer overheating.
- Light and material choices
- Consider daylight and carbon alongside the appearance of glazing and construction.
- A clearer brief
- Use the study to discuss your priorities and compare alternatives with your design team.
Bring a design question.