6 Stage Process

At Air Theory, we don’t just design systems — we build confidence from day one. Our six-stage process blends engineering precision with real-world pragmatism, ensuring your mechanical systems are smart, buildable, and beautifully integrated.

Whether you’re an architect designing a healthy home, a builder managing risk, or a contractor delivering on complexity — we meet you where you are and move forward together.

Get Started

Architect reviewing mechanical and HVAC drawings — a key moment in Air Theory’s consult phase, ensuring system performance, compliance, and buildability are designed in from the start.

Before ducts, comes direction. In a 30-minute discovery, we unpack your goals — from comfort and acoustics to site risks and plant zones. This is where alignment begins.

Start here if you are a new homeowner, an architect early in the design process, or a builder seeking a mechanical partner before tender.

Draft Project Brief + Outcomes Canvas
Timeline and delivery map
Early feasibility insights
Deliverables
Envelope risks
Concepts

We co-design 2–3 annotated system strategies with performance notes, budget bands, and compliance snapshots — before locking in your preferred approach.

Start here when you have concept or DA drawings ready and want to lock in your mechanical approach, coordination, and budget early.

What you’ll receive in the Concept Pack:

• Two to three design options for ventilation, heating and cooling
• Suggested duct routes, plant zones, and acoustic considerations
• A snapshot of compliance alignment (NCC, NatHERS, Passive-ready)
• Budget range estimates and any program impacts
• Guidance on system types (HRV/ERV), control strategies, and zoning logic
• A simple comparison matrix showing performance, noise levels, and space needs

Here, we turn the concept into coordinated, buildable documents that de‑risk construction.

Start here when you’ve chosen a system direction but need clear, buildable documentation — or if you’re switching to us for confidence and clarity before construction begins.

What you’ll receive at this stage:
• A detailed Performance Report with airflow loads, ventilation and exhaust rates, and our recommended equipment selections
• Fully coordinated plans, sections, schematics, schedules, specifications, and a quality-assured delivery plan built around AT checkpoints
• A client education session so you understand how your system works, what to expect, and how to get the most from it
• Our product expertise layered in — including:
▸ Final equipment models and fan curves
▸ Noise and airflow modelling
▸ Filter grades (e.g. ISO ePM1), grille/diffuser selection, and IAQ sensing plans
▸ Control logic and I/O schematics
• Buildability and compliance built in — with a constructability review, clash-avoidance notes, QA milestones, and a full submittal list

We engage vetted contractors under Air Theory’s QA structure, ensuring quality gates are met, site risks are managed, and documentation stays live throughout.

Start here when you’re ready to mobilise onsite and want trusted contractors, quality assurance, and site governance under control.

What you’ll receive at this stage:
• Full contract pack: scope, exclusions, site kickoff, programme, roles
• QA milestones and variation protocol (no surprises)
• Progress reports: site photos, safety and compliance checks
• As-built updates and commissioning readiness
• Overlay of AT product expertise: sequencing, prefab, acoustics, testing
• Risk/issue log tracking and decision gate: “Install complete & ready to commission”

This is where performance meets proof.
We test, tune, and certify that your system delivers as promised — with independent verification, clear documentation, and confidence built in.

Your system is now installed and ready for testing.

What you’ll receive at this stage:
• Commissioning test sheets, tuning data, certification
• Completion checklist and final walkthrough
• Client handover: “Living with your system” guide

Clean closeout with long-term confidence. We provide a digital pack and offer seasonal tuning and ongoing monitoring if needed.

Start here if you are closing out or are inheriting a finished build.

What you’ll receive at this stage:
• Digital handover pack (as-builts, photos, warranties, O&M)
• AT Comfort Certificate
• Optional post-occupancy check at 3–6 months

Projects don’t always run in straight lines — and that’s okay.

Air Theory’s Catch-Up Kits are designed to slot into your project at any stage.

Whether you’re picking up momentum, switching consultants, or just need expert input for the final leg — we’ll backfill what’s needed to protect the next milestone.

Common Catch-Up Scenarios:
• Missed Connect? We’ll run a Rapid Discovery to align direction.
• Joining at Contract? We’ll lead with a Design Assurance Review.
• Need Commissioning Only? We’ll audit readiness and verify performance.

Fixed scope. Fixed fee. Forward momentum.

6 Stage Process

The Right Fit

The Right Input. At the Right Time.

Start Where You Need

Running Late? We’ll Get You Back on Track.