Queens Park I

Entire home architectural redesign and refurbishment, incorporating design and installation of whole-house indoor climate solutions

Queen's Park, London

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About this project

Collaborative design process and proactive installation of air conditioning and ventilation systems during the 2-year stripout, extension and refurbishment project.

  • Client

    Private Client

  • Appointed by

    London high-end residential main contractor

  • Design

    London high-end architecture and interior design studios

Technology used in this project

Climate Control
Comfort cooling
Mechanical Ventilation
Heat recovery (MVHR)
De-centralised Extract
Ductwork & Accessories
Ductwork
Volume Control
Fire Dampers
Diffusers & Grilles
Joinery slot terminals
Linear bar diffusers
Air termination valves
Noise Management
In-duct acoustic treatment
Controls & Monitors
Touchscreen remote control
Bluetooth user interface

Design Brief

Take the initially designed specification and pursue a process of design development with the principal design team, liaising with the main contractor to deliver design and commercial adjustments to the contract, to meet the overall client-directed architectural brief.

Solution

Indoor climate is provided in differing measures in spaces around the five-bedroom period property. For air conditioning, five air conditioning fan coil units are installed across some living and sleeping spaces – the Basement family room, Ground Living room and Kitchen, Master bedroom and a Guest bedroom suite.

Fan-coil units are located sensitively within each space to retain the fire compartmentation throughout the property and are acoustically lined to prevent sound disturbance within all spaces. Both the Basement Family room and ground floor Living room house a full width wall of bespoke joinery uniquely designed for the individual spaces. Each has part of the backing made removable, providing full access to the fan-coil units. Conditioned air is delivered via bespoke ductwork and plenums to the upper sections of the joinery at full width to provide high induction mixing of the air, and the delivery plenums are painted internally to prevent line-of sight. In the Family Room air is returned from the space through a similar air terminal design as the pelmet, but at floor level in the same joinery.

The fan-coil unit for the Kitchen is located under the stairs adjacent to the space, with conditioned air to and returning air travelling from the space via a bespoke formed ductwork route, to a multi-slot diffuser air terminal device above kitchen cabinetry. In the principal Bedroom suite the bespoke panelling detailing which adorns the bedroom is ideal to locate a linear bar grille within, sized accurately for aesthetic continuity. The lowered ceiling above Ensuite/Dressing areas off the bedroom provides ample space for the fan-coil unit to be located, with a second linear bar grille returning air back to the unit. In the Guest suite in the roof space the eaves void is used effectively to mount the fan-coil unit, with two flush linear bar grille devices plastered-in flush to the wall. The solution in this space was carefully considered taking into account both the physical constraints of the new roof structure and the need to maximise space in the suite.

Control for the air-conditioning in each space is provided via a glass-faced touchscreen controller in a concealed location nearby for accessibility, and complete with additional control via a Bluetooth phone app for a further improved user interface.

Ventilation throughout the Basement is provided principally by mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems (MVHR), with capacity designed to exceed basic Building Regulation requirements for increased home comfort levels. In the Family room MVHR supply and extract points are combined with the air-conditioning supply and return air. Next door in the Home Office the MVHR supply and extract points are combined into another full wall of elegant bespoke library shelving, at high level combined into enclosed slot features running horizontally the full width, keeping them unobtrusive whilst still delivering fresh air directly into the space. A similar solution applies with the bespoke cupboard unit in the adjacent Basement Guest Suite.

Elsewhere, de-centralised ventilation fan units are concealed in the fabric of the building or in eaves voids to serve bathroom spaces. In the Master Ensuite the extraction of stale air is provided via discreet, minimalist plastered-in slot diffuser devices, including in the Steam Shower as well as the main bathing space.

Externally, the condenser units for the VRF air conditioning system to the property is located at the end of the garden, neatly concealed behind an outbuilding. Its concealed location and distance from neighbouring properties negate the requirement for a specially-designed acoustic enclosure or noise mitigation measures other than a well-designed and acoustic-foam-lined enclosure, designed based on best practice techniques within the industry.

The MVHR system vents to atmosphere at Basement ceiling level in the rear lightwell. Through an unobtrusive interface with the bespoke timber cladding which was designed in conjunction with the lead architect, adequate air volumes for supply and exhaust air to and from the property connect effectively with the external without visual or audible intrusion to the enjoyment of the home.

My first experience with the Calibre design team has been a good one. Ryan was helpful and the design phase was carried out satisfactorily.

Edward Calver

Edward Calver

Project Architect, Hoban Design

On the last project that Calibre worked on with my team, we designed a inlet and extract ventilation air system hidden within the cornice, and they designed and installed a bespoke solution that worked perfectly.

Gemma McCloskey

Gemma McCloskey

Project Architect, Studio Indigo

We are extremely grateful to Calibre for their design support throughout this project and the client is delighted with the final outcome.

Jo Cowen Architects