Designing for Greater Efficiency (DfGE) | EDGE Green Building Academy

DfGE certificate now available through U.S. Green Building Council

USGBC has partnered with IFC to deliver the DfGE course. Learn to design and market green buildings using principles of energy-efficient design and eco-friendly construction.

Learn More and Enroll

The Demand for Skills in Designing Efficient, Sustainable Buildings and Green Architecture Is Growing Worldwide

The Designing for Greater Efficiency (DfGE) course, developed, curated, and offered by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, aims to address this need by promoting capacity building related to sustainability in the built environment. This course equips learners with the knowledge to design resource-efficient, eco-friendly buildings, contributing to the building sector’s transition to a low-carbon, net-zero future. By undertaking the DfGE course, students and green building design professionals worldwide can develop the expertise to design buildings with a reduced environmental impact using sustainable construction practices.

Why take the DfGE course?

The DfGE course will improve your climate literacy while teaching you how to design resource-efficient, sustainable buildings that support the built environment’s transition to a low-carbon, eco-friendly future.

This course prepares students and building design professionals across the globe to design green buildings that have a meaningful and measurable reduced impact on their environment. The course covers the fundamentals of energy efficiency and resource efficiency measures in sustainable architecture from both a technical and commercial perspective. Case studies and real-world examples teach learners how to design for eco-friendly building performance and how to market those designs within a green construction and sustainable real estate context.

What does the DfGE course offer?

01Knowledge Building

Conceptualize and integrate green building features across multiple disciplines and sustainable building types.

02Skill Development

Develop critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and green design strategies for eco-friendly architecture.

03Better Communication

Articulate a compelling business case for sustainable building design to diverse stakeholders.

04Efficiency Strategies

Quantify the impact of energy-saving, water-efficient, and low-carbon materials using the EDGE App.

05Mindset Change

Communicate effectively with clients, building owners, green investors, and all stakeholders to promote sustainable construction.

06Develop Expertise

Demonstrate improved resource efficiency measures and their relative cost-benefit implications in green architecture.

What are the DfGE course details?

The DfGE Course is aimed at senior students of architecture, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and other construction industry-related disciplines, as well as building design professionals and practitioners who wish to improve their climate literacy while learning how to design resource-efficient, sustainable buildings using eco-friendly construction materials and green architecture principles.

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.

<span>Module 1:</span>Green Buildings in Context

Module 1:Green Buildings in Context

Global impact of buildings
Resource efficiency – Energy, Water and Carbon
Calculation of efficiency metrics using EDGE App

<span>Module 2:</span>Form, Skin and Climate

Module 2:Form, Skin and Climate

Bioclimatic Design
Passive design strategies – orientation, form, sun
Case Studies
Presentation techniques

<span>Module 3:</span>Engineering Architecture

Module 3:Engineering Architecture

HVAC systems for heating and cooling
Controls for ventilation
Best practices in energy efficiency
Benchmarks and case studies

<span>Module 4:</span>Lighting and Photovoltaics

Module 4:Lighting and Photovoltaics

Daylighting
Lighting systems and controls
Renewable technologies such as photovoltaic panels

<span>Module 5:</span>Water and Materials

Module 5:Water and Materials

Water efficiency measures
Efficient options for construction
Embodied Carbon in materials

<span>Module 6:</span>Making the Business Case

Module 6:Making the Business Case

Client, Developer, and Design Firm’s POV
Costs and Payback Period
Financial Resources and Incentives
Green consulting as a professional service

Module 7: Final Design Exercise

A final design project has to be submitted for evaluation.
Upon successful completion of the DfGE Course, the learner will receive a certificate of course completion from IFC

How to sign up for the DfGE course?

Online Course Format

The self-paced DfGE online course is a 16-hour course that may be completed at one’s own pace. Learners will have three (3) months to access the course materials and submit the final design project. The online course is free for now and IFC may start charging a fee for course completion certification in the future.

Information about the DfGE online course is available for download here.

Enroll in DfGE Course

In Person Course Format

The DfGE In-Person course is a 20-hour program offered through partnering universities and institutions, providing learners with an immersive experience guided by faculty trained by the IFC. To become a DfGE Course Collaborator, institutions must sign a Licensing and Cooperation Agreement (LCA) with the IFC.

To know more, write to edgelearn@ifc.org

Get More Info

DfGE Course Collaborators

In Person Course

0+Certified Learners

0 Collaborators

0 Countries

since 2018

Online Course

0+Certified Learners

0+ Users

0 Countries

since 2021

Colombia

Corporación Universitaria del Caribe
Universidad del Norte
Universidad EIA
Universidad Internacional del Trópico Americano
Universidad San Buenaventura
Universidad Santo Tomás Bucaramanga
Universidad Santo Tomás Bogotá

Ghana

Accra Technical University
Central University
Kumasi Technical University
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Takoradi Technical University

India

Aayojan School of Architecture and Design
Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Architecture
Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture for Women
Indus Institute of Design Environment & Architecture, Indus University
Institute of Architecture & Planning, Nirma University
Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, MAHE
Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s College of Architecture
MIT ADT University
Mysore School of Architecture
NITTE Institute of Architecture
Priyadarshini Institute of Architecture & Design Studies
Sal School of Architecture
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Technology.jpg
Satish Misal Educational Foundation’s BRICK School of Architecture
SEED – APJ Abdul Kalam School of Environmental Design
SJB School of Architecture & Planning
Sri Sri University
Sushant University
Symbiosis Skills and Professional University
Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Architecture

Indonesia

Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia Jawa Tengah
Institut Teknologi Bandung
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember
UNIKA Soegijapranata
Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta
Universitas Bandar Lampung
Universitas Brawijaya
Universitas Diponegoro
Universitas Gadjah Mada
Universitas Indonesia
Universitas Islam Indonesia
Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin
Universitas Kriten Duta Wacana
Universitas Lambung Mangkurat
Universitas Multimedia Nusantara
Universitas Palangka Raya
Universitas Parahyangan
Universitas Pembangunan Jaya
Universitas PGRI Semarang
Universitas Sam Ratulangi
Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta
Universitas Tarumanagara
Universitas Trisakti
Universitas Widya Kartika
Binus University
Universitas Syiah Kuala
Universitas Teknologi Yogyakarta
Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Diponegoro

Jordan

Al Hussein Technical University

Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture And Technology
Kenyatta University
University of Nairobi

Peru

Colegio de Arquitectos del Perú
Escuela de Educación Superior Toulouse Lautrec
Universidad Andina de Cusco
Universidad Católica de Santa María
Universidad Científica del Sur
Universidad Continental
Universidad de Piura
Universidad Nacional de Piura
Universidad Nacional de Trujillo
Universidad Ricardo Palma

Philippines

Adamson University
National University
Polytechnic University of the Philippines

South Africa

Tshwane University of Technology

Vietnam

Hanoi National University of Civil Engineering
HCMC University of Technology and Education
HCMUT – Faculty of Civil Engineering
Thu Dau Mot University
VGU Vietnam German University

DfGE Course Learner Testimonials

Here is what the DfGE learners are saying.

Anwal Virk

Sustainability Consultant, Delhi, India

The course helped me gain introspective insights into the fundamentals of energy and resource efficiency measures in building design considering all technical and commercial perspectives in mind. My biggest takeaway from the course has been the learnings through the case studies DfGE offers. The case studies and examples have helped shape the ideologies around not only designing for resource efficiency but also how to sell those designs in commercial settings.
Samuel Kwaku Worwui

Founder & CEO of GM Bamboo Eco-City LTD, Ghana

Designing for Greater Efficiency (DfGE) Course is a globally developed top-notch, highly selective and in-depth theory and practical hybrid green buildings course. Though a technical course, it’s imbedded in a comprehensive approach to emission reductions from the built environment along the full life cycle and the ability to communicate a compelling business case for sustainable design and development to all stakeholders along the buildings and construction value chain.
Raymond Andrew Sih

UAP, LEED AP, Philippines

The DfGE Course is a very effective way to get started with green buildings. Not only does it cover the basics of how to conserve resources in buildings, it also teaches how to use EDGE effectively to reduce energy, water and embodied energy use. I would recommend the DfGE Course to architecture and engineering students and design professionals. It also makes a good refresher course for experienced green building professionals like myself.
João Gago dos Santos

PHD Candidate in Technology and Construction Management at the Faculty of Architecture of Lisbon, Portugal

The Designing for Greater Efficiency course, with the EDGE platform, met the objectives of my research regarding the calculation and possibility of predicting the true impacts that constructions, and projects, have on the environment.
Adebowaleo Oyinleye

LEED AP, Project Associates based in Abuja, Nigeria

My learning experience in the DfGE course was quite exciting and at the same time it was hands-on training that put you through the practical application of what the course content tried to achieve. The highlight for me was the final assignment which presents a real life scenario, testing your application of the processes and main concepts of EDGE.
Vien Tai Phat

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam

The Designing for Greater Efficiency course is a quick, yet intuitive, complete and effective approach for students to learn, supplement the basic knowledge of optimizing energy by design, towards green building design meeting EDGE standards.
Sujesh Patel

TRIAD Architects Ltd. based in Nairobi, Kenya

The Designing for Greater Efficiency Course helped me understand how to use the Edge App and measure the impact sustainable strategies adopted during the design process. The app is simple to use and the data generated is easy to understand and consume. The online course was flexible and allowed me to learn at my own pace and help balance my work schedule.
Abbas Mu'azu

Registered Architect & Principal Consultant with Purple Rose Ltd, Nigeria and Lecturer at Architecture Department, Baze University Abuja – Nigeria

As a practicing architect and an academic, the DfGE course is a bridge builder between learning and practice. The course encapsulates largely everything a student of architecture ought to know in the development of a future sustainable environment. The course has prepared contents that may somewhat seem difficult to assimilate in a rather structured and simplified manner. At the same time, the provision of real-time impact of design decisions enabled by the EDGE App eliminates the daunting tasks architects dread in building simulations. This course is indeed a gateway for a sustainable built environment.
Blaise Mempouo

Mechanical Engineer & Smart Green Building Specialist

I am happy to have taken and completed the Designing for Greater Efficiency (DfGE) course. The videos are highly informative and makes learning very easy. The readings and other resources offered compliment the lesson and the learning. I would really recommend this course for budding Architects and Civil Engineers. The course inspired me to start up a “Smart Green Building Training Programme” to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes of Architectures students in Cameroon and the Ivory Coast on sustainable green building design using EDGE Software.
ISELOWO Aminu Oluwatosin

Registered Architect of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA)

My Experience during the DfGE course, was a very enlightening and a fun one. It’s opened a whole new world of information on sustainability I always felt was out of reach or just beyond my comprehensive grasp. A key information I really appreciated was the tip on how to sell sustainability to the client which is one aspect most courses would usually leave out. For me, this has been the case of “give a man a fish, and teach a man to fish”.