Bandar Seri Begawan - The multi-million dollar upgrading of the Public Works Department (JKR) headquarters is expected to be completed in March.

The Minister of Development, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya lndera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman, visited the headquarters yesterday to inspect the $8.6 million upgrade works that began in October 2011.

Among the upgrades is a new block to house the Department of Technical Services as well as the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Services.

Facilities at the block are made up of open-concept offices, multipurpose rooms, public facilities, a daycare centre, surau and library. The open-concept office plan is to enable more daylight to enter the room, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

"A double-glazed wall system will reduce heat gain inside the building, which will significantly reduce the cooling loads of the air-conditioning," said JKR in a statement.

Other energy saving features includes an atrium skylight with cross ventilation situated at the top, which will reduce heat gain.

All the public facilities will be located at the atrium, such as tender document collection, payment counters, and payment enquiries for contractors, government housing and rental units.

According to the statement, JKR also plans to install several solar panels with the aim of collecting data to further study the feasibility of introducing the solar panels to other government buildings.