Bandar Seri Begawan - The Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi Bin Haji Osman, recently visited the upgrading of the Public Works Department (PWD) Headquarters after the launching of Road Inspection Division Enforcement (RIDE). The upgrade is done by Putera Permai Sdn Bhd and is expected to be completed by March 2, this year. The cost of the contract is $8.6 million.

According to a press release, the new block B at the PWD HQ will house the Department of Technical Services and Department of Mechanical and Electrical services.

The facilities available there will be new open concept offices, library, multi-purpose rooms, surau, public facilities and a day care centre.

The new concept of an open office plan is to enable more sunlight entering into the offices, reducing the need of artificial lighting. With a double glazed curtain wall system, this will reduce heat gain inside the building, which will significantly reduce the cooling loads from the air-conditioning.

Other green features include a natural daylight atrium skylight with cross ventilations at the top, which will reduce heat gain at the atrium.

The atrium is where all the public facilities will be located such as tender document collections, payment counters, contractor's payment enquiries, government housing and rental unit.

PWD will be also installing several solar panels in order to get data and further study the feasibility of installing it to other government buildings.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin