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