The Architect’s Guide to Part F, L & O: Design-Led Compliance
The “Drill and Grill” approach is dead.
You didn’t spend weeks detailing a minimalist façade just to have it scarred by 5,000mm² of plastic.
Yet, the collision of Part L (Energy), Part F (Ventilation), and Part O (Overheating) has created a “Compliance Trap.” As you push for the airtightness required by the Future Homes Standard, the regulations demand larger holes in your envelope.
If you get the balance wrong, you risk more than just ugly windows. You risk summer overheating, condensation lawsuits, and retrofits that are obsolete before they are built.
There is a better way.
VENTI’s “Insider” CPD series helps architects navigate the aesthetic and technical minefield of modern ventilation. We don’t just quote the Approved Documents; we show you the strategic workarounds that save your design.
Choose your CPD briefing. All sessions are hosted on Teams.
AESTHETICS VS. AIRFLOW (The Anti-Trickle Vent Masterclass)
Official Title: Approved Document F Uplift: Why Architects Need to Re-Think Background Ventilation.
The 2022 uplift was a stealth killer for window design. With background ventilator sizes jumping to 5,000mm², the “invisible” vent is a myth.
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The Conflict: Why regulations are phasing out trickle vents in compliant scenarios.
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The Fix: How to justify Whole-House Mechanical Strategies to clients who balk at the cost, securing your aesthetic vision.
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Time: 1 Hour
THE ENVELOPE-VENTILATION-OVERHEATING TRIAD
Official Title: Part O’s Hidden Pressure on Part F.
High fabric efficiency + airtightness = a summer greenhouse. Architects must now balance solar gain, external noise, and security against the need for night-time cooling.
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The Conflict: The drive for Part L efficiency is actively fighting Part O cooling.
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The Fix: “Integrated Compliance”—how to design the envelope and ventilation as one system, not two.
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Time: 1 Hour
NAVIGATING THE UNKNOWN: THE FHS PARADOX
Official Title: The ‘Zero-Carbon Ready’ Paradox: The Final Specification Uncertainty.
The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is looming for Autumn 2025, but the final “compliance wrapper” is still undefined. This uncertainty is a major risk for current designs.
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The Conflict: Designing for today’s Part L might leave your project non-compliant by the time ground is broken.
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The Fix: How to “hedge” your design risks now and mitigate strict transitional arrangements for refurbishments and extensions.
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Time: 1 Hour
VENTILATION FUNDAMENTALS REVISITED
Official Title: Understanding Part F and Its Impact on Residential Ventilation Design.
A foundational update on the 2022 changes. We cover the shift in minimum whole-dwelling rates and the new mandatory checklists that are catching architects out on site.
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Time: 1.5 Hours
We believe ventilation is an architectural issue, not just a plumbing one.
We help architects bridge the gap between Beautiful Design and Healthy Air. Our approaches are used by practices that refuse to let regulations dictate their aesthetics.
“Finally, a ventilation CPD that understands the pressure architects are under to deliver clean elevations.”
Don’t let the regulations design your building for you.
Secure your place on the next “Insider” briefing.