THE amount of hot air coming out of Hampshire County Council headquarters in Winchester will be more than halved after a revamp, say experts involved in the redesign.

The new-look offices at Ashburton Court in Sussex Street are to be more environmentally-friendly.

Carbon dioxide emissions will be cut from 100kg per annum to less than 30kg, according to project architect Julian Lipscombe.

He said that this reduction in greenhouse gases would put the refurbished offices at the "cutting edge", adding: "We want to make it one of the leading buildings in the country for reducing carbon dioxide emissions."

Computer suite Energy savings would come from harnessing hot air generated by the computer suite as well as automated systems to turn off lights when not in use.

The 1960s office blocks, used by about 650 staff, are to be reclad in red Michelmersh brick.

The offices are shown left before refurbishment.

Cabinet members have been shown pictures of the inside of the spacious, open-plan offices.

The county's head of architecture, Steve Clow, said: "Not only are we transforming the outside of the building but also ways of working. I think that is very important."

He said that there would be more staff than desks, to encourage flexible working, and that the corporate facilities, including a 200-seat auditorium, café, restaurant and suite of meeting rooms, would be "second to none".

He added: "But it is also value for money as we have been getting some good prices through competitive tendering."

Andrew Smith, head of property, business and regulatory services, said that upgrading the building would extend its life by about 30 years.

There will be a new roof, windows, lifts, wiring, heating and plumbing.

Mr Smith said that the project is running on schedule and within budget. The plan is to complete the revamp by December 2008.

Building costs are now £29m.

The approved budget of £40m includes the cost of buying Capital House in Andover Road as temporary offices for staff during building work, and an alternative car park at Bar End.