A new three-day course offers students and building design professionals the expertise to design buildings with a reduced environmental impact. 

The Designing for Greater Efficiency (DfGE) course is developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.  

It is designed to equip attendees with the essential knowledge needed to create resource-efficient buildings, contributing to the transition of the building sector towards a low-carbon future. 

Design principles 

The course revisits the fundamental principles of good design and delivers them in an engaging, interactive format. Attendees will benefit from a blend of theory, individual and group exercises, and practical use of the EDGE app to inform design decisions. 

1. Knowledge building: Conceptualise and integrate green features across multiple disciplines and building types. 
2. Skills development: Develop critical thinking skills, quantitative skills and design approaches. 
3. Better communication: Articulate a compelling business case for sustainable design. 
4. Efficiency strategies: Quantify the impact of measures for energy, water and embodied carbon using the EDGE app. 
5. Mindset change: Communicate effectively with clients, owners, investors and all stakeholders. 
6. Develop expertise: Demonstrate improved measures and their relative cost-benefit implications. 

 Attendees 

The DfGE course is aimed at senior students of architecture, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and other construction industry-related courses, as well as building design practitioners and professionals with an interest in learning about green building. 

This course is especially valuable for architects and engineers – not only because it is CPD-validated but also because it provides in-depth knowledge of the EDGE app, offering practical tools for sustainable design. 

In order to successfully complete this course, it is recommended that the learner must have a working knowledge of database software such as MS Excel, architectural and engineering drawings and basic mathematics. 

Modules 

Module 1: Green buildings in context 

• Global impact of buildings. 

• Resource efficiency – energy, water and carbon. 

• Calculation of efficiency metrics using the EDGE app. 

Module 2: Form, skin and climate 

• Bioclimatic design. 

• Passive design strategies – orientation, form, sun. 

• Case studies. 

• Presentation techniques. 

Module 3: Engineering architecture 

• HVAC systems for heating and cooling. 

• Controls for ventilation. 

• Best practices in energy efficiency. 

• Benchmarks and case studies. 

Module 4: Lighting and photovoltaics 

• Daylighting. 

• Lighting systems and controls. 

• Renewable technologies such as photovoltaic panels. 

Module 5: Water and materials 

• Water efficiency measures. 

• Efficient options for construction. 

• Embodied carbon in materials. 

Module 6: Making the business case 

• Client, developer and design firm’s point of view. 

• Costs and payback period. 

• Financial resources and incentives. 

• Green consulting as a professional service. 

Module 7: Final design exercise 

• A final design project must be submitted for evaluation. 

• Upon successful completion of the DfGE Course, the learner will receive a certificate of course completion from IFC. 

Course details: 

✅ Earn 3 CPD Points: Ideal for architects and engineers.

📅 Course duration: 3 days, 16-18 October.

💰 Cost: R4 500.  

🏫 Venue: Saint-Gobain Experience Centre. 

🎓Facilitators: Marloes Reinink and Chilufya Lombe from Solid Green Consulting. 

For more information, visit EDGE Buildings or Solid Green Consulting: 

Tel: +27 11 447 2797 

Email: hello@solidgreen.co.za 

Website: www.solidgreen.co.za