There’s lots of really good reasons why HVAC techs aren’t cutting on pipe in a building. Having the proper pipefitters/plumbers making those changes which doesn’t actually change any function is expensive, so I could see that money not being spent.

Looking at the final product, it looks like the HVAC folks could have acquired a larger vent grill and place the grill parallel to the tiles for cosmetic appeal even though the ducting wouldn’t take up the whole grill.