Toshiba VRF air conditioning and split systems are providing flexible cooling and heating solutions for a dramatic new building on the Isle of Wight. Created by locally based architects Rainey Petrie Johns, the spectacular Resources Centre forms part of the regeneration plans of the Isle of Wight College for further and higher education. As designers and engineers, the firm also specified and managed the installation of the Toshiba systems.

The College has 1400 full-time and 4500 part-time students and is the only further education institution on the island. With support from the Learning and Skills Council it was able to conceive a plan for regeneration of its ageing building stock and poorly laid out site to meet the needs of the 21st century student population on the island.

The Resources Building has been designed to be immensely adaptable to changing uses. This made the flexibility of Toshiba's VRF air conditioning systems an attractive option for satisfying a wide range of possible heating and cooling needs. It was also essential that when the systems are used they operate as efficiently as possible. Therefore, Toshiba's interactive Windows based control options were also selected.

The large three-storey building has been designed around an atrium to minimise the need for air conditioning. Part L Regs have ensured that the requirement for heating is also minimised. The building makes use of 'brise soleil' and overhanging upper stories to minimise solar gain. Nevertheless high occupancy rates over long periods and a high level of technology content through the use of computers and server rooms requires a number of cooling and heating strategies.

The top floor multi-use computer, lecture and social space is served by four Toshiba VRF heat pump systems. Two Toshiba split systems with cassettes serve dedicated closed IT teaching suites with a further system provided in the server room, which acts as the main server provision for the complete college campus. The middle floor traditional library and modern computer-based resource area is air conditioned by Toshiba VRF cooling only systems as is the lecture theatre space on the ground floor. The spaces are also provided with ducted, tempered fresh air, which enables a level of free cooling. The computer suite ceiling void is also used as a return air plenum with separate supply and extract. Condensate is dealt with by pumping it to the internal rainwater drainage system. Toshiba Interactive Intelligence provides zone management and timer functions to maintain maximum energy savings.