Synopsis
Spectra Engineering Solutions (SES), in joint venture with Dr. Qaisar Ali Associates (DQA), is delivering Project Management Office (PMO) services for the renovation and upgrade of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office in Islamabad.
The assignment is designed to transform a high-occupancy working facility (office + auditorium) into a modern, safe, energy-aware, and accessibility-compliant environment aligned with UN standards including UNDIS (accessibility) and UNSMS (safety/security management).
Facility Profile: Building (1998), lease up to 2055; ~2,279 m² office plus ~837 m² common spaces; 22+ occupants; auditorium capacity ~150.
Narrative Description of the Project
The ILO Office in Islamabad sits at the heart of the country’s political and administrative capital—an important setting for ILO’s mission of advancing social justice and promoting decent work. The renovation is not a cosmetic upgrade; it is a strategic modernization of a complex facility that must operate reliably, safely, and inclusively for staff and visitors.
Initial condition validation and stakeholder consultations identified a set of pressing challenges ranging from building envelope and circulation constraints to urgent safety and systems failures. Key upgrade drivers include:
- Structural and building fabric improvements (repairs, reinforcement, roof treatment, crack remediation, corrosion fixes).
- Façade modernization including replacement of outdated glazing systems with improved performance and safety.
- MEP/HVAC modernization, as existing systems were found largely outdated, non-operational, and in several areas unsafe.
- Inclusive and accessible redesign, especially within the auditorium and washroom provisions, to meet UNDIS requirements.
- Life safety and security upgrades, including planning for a compliant safe room and strengthened emergency systems.
To manage this complexity, the PMO approach is structured into clear phases—Design, Bidding Support, Construction Management, and Acceptance/Handover—with strong coordination between ILO stakeholders, technical teams, and authorities.
Description of Actual Services Provided
SES is supporting the PMO delivery through specialized engineering inputs particularly across MEP, HVAC, fire-life safety, ELV/ICT and technical specifications—working in an integrated workflow with the JV lead (DQA).
Phase 1 — Design & Technical Due Diligence
- Conducted site inspections and systems validation; supported stakeholder consultations to confirm user needs and constraints.
- Led technical assessment of MEP/HVAC conditions and prepared recommendations for full refurbishment to meet international standards (ASHRAE/NFPA/IEC and related good practice).
- Contributed to early risk identification and technical planning inputs for safe, staged implementation.
Phase 2 — Procurement & Bidding Support
- Prepared and reviewed technical inputs for tender packages (MEP/HVAC/ELV), including specifications, BOQs, and compliance requirements.
- Supported bidder site engagement and technical clarifications to ensure responsive and comparable offers.
Phase 3 — Construction Management & Supervision
- Planned support for quality control, testing, safety oversight, and coordination across contractors and ILO stakeholders—aligned to PMO reporting cycles.
- Assisted in managing technical change controls related to MEP/HVAC interfaces and operational continuity.
Phase 4 — Acceptance, Commissioning & Handover
- Planned support for commissioning, verification, and system acceptance (HVAC, fire alarm, emergency lighting, ELV/ICT).
- Contributed to handover documentation, as-built requirements, and operational readiness guidance for a smooth transition.
What This Renovation Delivers
By combining strong PMO governance with deep engineering rigor, the project is designed to deliver an ILO office that is:
- Safer (life-safety systems, structural reliability, risk-managed delivery)
- More inclusive (accessible routes, compliant washrooms, improved auditorium experience)
- Operationally resilient (modern MEP/HVAC, reliable power and ICT/ELV systems)
- Future-ready (integrated design, improved performance, reduced downtime risk)
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