Abstract Distillation is the most widely used but an energy-intensive separation technology which consumes huge amount of thermal energy as a separating agent. Because of low thermal efficiencies of distillation columns, various energy integration methods have been explored in the past in order to reduce the energy requirements for a given separation task. Among them, Internally Heat Integrated Distillation Columns (IHIDiC), in which the rectification zone of the column is at a higher pressure than the stripping zone, are reported to be the best alternative to the conventional columns that give up to 50% energy savings when the rectifying and stripping zones are configured in an annular fashion. However, the structural complexity of IHIDiC draws one’s attention to search for an alternative which involves minimum design effort. In this work, a methodology has been proposed for an IHIDiC with side condensers and side reboilers (SCSR). This configuration introduces minimum structural complexity as the integrated side condensers and side reboilers are external to the columns. The side reboilers of the stripping column are driven by the side condensers of the rectifying column. The problem, however, is to determine the number of such units, their heat loads, and their locations that lead to an optimal design. Thus, a design methodology based on the well known Column Grand Composite Curves (CGCC) has been proposed algorithmically and tested on two separation problems of close-boiling mixtures, namely, Propane-Propylene and Styrene-Ethyl Benzene splitters. A case study of a multi-component mixture has also been analysed. Economic evaluation studies show that the optimized configuration of the IHIDiC with SCSR for the close-boiling mixtures resulted in attractive payback periods and significant savings in operating expenses. The energy savings in the case study of multi-component system, however, is less attractive due to much higher capital investment.