Hyde Park Gardens

‘Unseen’ mini-VRV solution beats urban planning constraints

A 960mm parapet wall nearly scuppered plans to air condition apartments in the multi-million-pound redevelopment of a listed five storey house in London’s plush residential area of Hyde Park. Planning constraints meant that the heat recovery condensing units originally specified for the second, third and fourth floor apartments were too tall to go on the roof behind the parapet wall.

‘Unseen’ mini-VRV solution beats urban planning constraints

With air conditioning a key specification for the luxury apartments’ bedrooms and living areas, installers Hoveair (Building Services) Limited recommended that the equipment specified manufacturer be changed to Daikin throughout the building.

David Collins, Hoveair Project Director.

"This equipment has enabled us to provide heating and cooling in each of the apartments in an energy efficient manner – and overcome the urban limitations by having a significantly smaller footprint, lower profile and limited noise. Heat recovery systems were originally specified to give future residents the flexibility to use cooling and heating simultaneously, if needed. The mini-VRV heat pump systems provide either heating or cooling, but we have kept the flexibility by providing each of the upper apartments with two systems, one for each living area and one for the bedrooms."

Low-height units gain Building Control approval

The choice of Daikin’s 823mm S-series low-height, mini-VRV heat pumps – just 918mm on 95mm – rubber bearers, satisfied Building Control and subsequently gained their approval. The mini-VRV units can be installed behind parapet walls or on balconies ¬– so they are effectively unseen. They are also pleasantly quiet at 51dBA and 52dBA respectively. And at just 94kg they are easy to move into position. The apartments have a mix of discreet, concealed fan coil units – including wall mounted vertical chassis units and medium static ceiling units – so that the air conditioning is almost as invisible indoors as it is outdoors.