How MVHR Helps Architects Preserve Façade Aesthetics Without Compromising Ventilation

Architects working on commercial and residential projects are often forced to compromise their building's external appearance to meet ventilation requirements. Trickled vents, openable windows, or wall-mounted fans can disrupt clean façade lines and reduce visual impact.

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) offers a way to meet ventilation targets without spoiling your design. From Oxford to Woking to Winchester, architects are using MVHR to preserve aesthetics while staying compliant.

This blog explains how MVHR supports design freedom, improves indoor conditions, and keeps planning officers satisfied.

Why façades are often compromised by ventilation needs

To comply with Building Regulations Part F, most buildings must provide:

• Continuous supply of fresh air
• Adequate extract in wet rooms
• Night purge or summer cooling airflow
• Defined air change rates per zone

Without MVHR, designers rely on window openings or trickle vents. These can:

• Disrupt the clean lines of façades
• Create clutter around curtain walling
• Complicate passive shading or louvre systems
• Trigger objections from planning or conservation officers

In Alton during Spring 2023, a residential block design had to be revised when external trickle vents clashed with the conservation requirements for the street frontage.

How MVHR supports façade-focused design

MVHR systems are ducted internally, meaning:

• No external vents are visible on the primary elevation
• Air intake and exhaust can be discreetly positioned at roof level or in hidden areas
• Fresh air is delivered without open windows
• Shading and architectural features remain uninterrupted
• Planning compliance is easier to achieve

On a Reading apartment block completed in February 2024, MVHR allowed the architect to retain a full-height curtain wall without any external grilles or vents on the south elevation.

Real project examples

Guildford urban infill site (Completed March 2024)

The project required planners to approve a modern façade within a conservation boundary. ClimateWorks proposed centralised MVHR with roof-level terminals. This removed the need for façade vents, and the planners approved the submission without amendment.

Oxford riverside development (Autumn 2023)

Slot diffusers were used internally to blend with the ceiling design. No external wall vents were visible from any public elevation. MVHR performance exceeded Part F requirements and supported the client's sustainability goals.

Farnham mixed-use scheme (January 2024)

Roof-mounted units with vertical discharge allowed all ductwork to remain hidden. The façade retained its original brick pattern without any visible interruptions or vent covers.

Architect endorsements

“The system allowed us to keep the elevation pure. No grilles, no clutter.”
Lead Architect, Guildford (2024)

“We passed planning without compromise. The hidden ventilation strategy made the difference.”
Design Director, Oxford (2023)

How to integrate MVHR without affecting the building exterior

Architects should:

• Engage the MVHR supplier at RIBA Stage 2 or 3
• Confirm duct routes that avoid front-facing walls
• Coordinate plant room space for centralised units
• Use roof space or secondary elevations for terminal locations
• Request grille and diffuser designs that match interior finishes

On a Newbury development in late 2023, this approach helped the project pass both design review and SAP without changing the external envelope.

Key regulations and guidance

To support your design, reference:

• Building Regulations Part F
• CIBSE Guide B for system integration
• Historic England guidance on retrofitting ventilation where relevant for listed sites

These support façade preservation while maintaining compliance.

Why ClimateWorks is trusted by façade-focused architects

We help clients across Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire by:

• Proposing grille-free façade ventilation strategies
• Coordinating terminal placement at roof or service elevations
• Matching internal terminals to the design vision
• Supporting planning applications with system summaries
• Providing full documentation to satisfy Building Control

We ensure that aesthetics and ventilation never compete.

About the author

Dr. Julian Carter
Thermal Systems Expert and Technical Advisor at ClimateWorks

Dr. Julian Carter is a highly experienced thermal systems expert with over 15 years in the field, holding a PhD in thermal systems. His career spans academic research, consulting and teaching, focusing on air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Dr. Carter bridges the gap between theoretical advancements and practical applications, providing expert insights to organisations like ClimateWorks, where his guidance informs decision-making and industry best practices. Notably, he has worked on international projects with organisations such as Daikin Industries, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Currently a lecturer at Edinburgh University, Dr. Carter combines his expertise with a passion for educating the next generation of engineers and advancing climate control technologies.

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