The Role of Air Conditioning in Modern Mixed-Use Developments

Mixed-use developments combine commercial, residential, and retail units in a single site. This creates both opportunity and complexity for architects and developers.

One of the biggest coordination challenges? Air conditioning and ventilation.

Each part of the building has its own needs. Offices may need VRF systems. Retail spaces need ducted splits. Residential units may call for compact, quiet solutions or MVHR integration.

At ClimateWorks, we’ve supported mixed-use projects across Hampshire, Berkshire, and Surrey. We help ensure that every system meets technical, acoustic, and planning requirements—without compromising architecture or causing delays.

This blog outlines the key considerations for air conditioning and MVHR in mixed-use projects, and how early planning makes a difference.

Why mixed-use schemes need specialist planning

Unlike single-purpose buildings, mixed-use sites often include:

• Shared plant areas with access constraints
• Residential sections with stricter acoustic limits
• Different hours-of-use between commercial and residential units
• Planning sensitivity around visual impact and service noise

Without proper coordination, you risk:

• Overheating in flats due to blocked ventilation
• Retail units underperforming due to poor airflow
• Complaints from neighbours about plant noise
• Missed compliance on Part F, Part L, or BS 4142

ClimateWorks works with design teams to plan for these risks before they become problems on site.

How ClimateWorks supports mixed-use design and coordination

We help you:

• Define system zones per usage type (residential, commercial, retail)
• Coordinate external plant positions for visual and acoustic compliance
• Separate controls and metering to support multiple tenants
• Specify ducting and air paths that suit layout and fire strategy
• Reduce riser and shaft clashes through early input

In projects across Guildford, Reading, and Winchester, we’ve helped architects and developers resolve these challenges through concept-to-completion support.

Project examples from Hampshire, Berkshire, and Surrey

Basingstoke – Mixed-use town centre redevelopment

ClimateWorks supported the installation of VRF systems in three floors of office space above ground-floor retail. Rooftop plant was zoned with acoustic barriers to avoid complaints from nearby flats. Residential units were fitted with split systems discharging into a private plant enclosure.

Woking – Urban infill site

For a 5-storey mixed-use block, we worked with the design team to separate risers and avoid ductwork clashes. Each tenant had an independent control and billing system, with all outdoor units screened from public view to meet planning approval.

Newbury – Commercial and residential conversion

ClimateWorks helped convert a former office building into apartments with ground-floor retail. We retrofitted MVHR into the residential units and used wall-mounted systems for the commercial zone, balancing cost and comfort.

What developers and architects must consider

To deliver compliant, functional air conditioning across a mixed-use site, you need to:

• Allocate plant space for each usage zone
• Meet stricter acoustic limits near residential areas
• Plan for separate access and service routes
• Avoid oversizing or undersizing shared ventilation
• Work within planning limits for height, noise, and aesthetics

ClimateWorks helps you make these decisions before construction drawings are locked.

Regulations that affect air conditioning in mixed-use developments

We ensure systems comply with:

• Part F (ventilation airflow and extract requirements)
• Part L (energy performance)
• BS 4142 (noise impact for residential neighbours)
• Local authority planning guidance on plant and façade design
• TM59 and SAP calculations for residential spaces

We provide detailed technical inputs and documentation to support compliance at submission and build stages.

Benefits of working with ClimateWorks on mixed-use sites

• Input at feasibility and concept stage
• Product selection based on usage type and floorplans
• Acoustic assessments and noise mitigation design
• Support through planning, install, and commissioning
• Flexible install teams experienced in occupied buildings

Whether it’s a retail-led high street conversion or a new urban block, we keep your programme on track and compliant from day one.

Plan early to prevent issues later

If you're designing or developing a mixed-use site in Hampshire, Berkshire, or Surrey, early-stage input from ClimateWorks helps you:

• Avoid plant oversizing or misplacement
• Satisfy planning and acoustic constraints
• Keep residential, commercial, and retail zones properly serviced
• Deliver systems that work—and are accepted—by planners and end users

Get in touch before technical design begins. We’ll help you keep every space cool, compliant, and coordinated.

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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