Case study
A case study is a method of research which typically takes the form of an intensive and detailed examination of a particular subject and its contextual conditions. In the built environment, case studies can focus on individual buildings and their construction methods, sustainability techniques, health and safety policies, legal cases and so on.
The construction industry is widely criticised for not carrying forward knowledge from onw project to the next. By systematically investigating and analysing in-depth data and information relating to a single building, individual, process, group, and so on, a case study allows particular aspects to be considered in detail and lessons learned disseminated for the benefit of similar projects or programmes.
However, even where case studies are prepared, research has shown that it is often not in a format that is useful to readers, it often focusses on success stories rather than problems and it can be difficult to apply knowledge acquired to new situations. For that reason, case studies are generally not widely read. For more information see: Knowledge gap.
Well-known case study researchers such as Robert E. Stake, Helen Simons, and Robert K. Yin have written about case study research and suggested techniques for successfully organising and conducting research. To create a case study, they propose six steps that should be used:
- Determine and define the research questions.
- Select the cases and determine data gathering and analysis techniques.
- Prepare to collect the data.
- Collect data in the field.
- Evaluate and analyse the data.
- Prepare the report.
NB Digital Twin Toolkit, Developing the business case for your digital twin, published by cdbb in February 2021, defines a case study as: ‘…a backward-looking description of the implementation of a solution. It outlines the initial expectations and potential triggers to launch the project, the journey (steps taken, blockers encountered, enablers), the solution itself (data, technology involved …), the learnings, and final outcomes (costs and benefits). A case study may be referred to as a use case scenario and may reference use cases.’
Designing Buildings Wiki has a wide range of case studies, see here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.