The Frontier Project

For this week, we went on a field trip to the Frontier Project, which is an innovative, resourceful, and sustainable building located in Rancho Cucamonga. During this field trip, I learned about various modern technologies (some actually quite old!) that have sustainable benefits- not to mention they’re applicable to homes and offices! Some of these technologies consist of:

1)   Decomposed granite walkways- which reduces runoff into the storm water system, allowing for the reuse of water.

2)   Bamboo flooring- Allows more resource to be available with less environmental impact.

3)   Low-water use and native plants- many plants were native, and required less water consumption.

4)   Insulated concrete form walls- maintains indoor temperature.

5)   Slanted glass windows- maximized sunlight, but reduces direct sunlight contact.

Aforementioned Slanted Windows

6)   Swamp cooler system- No use of traditional air conditioning system.

7)   Weather station- Communicates with nearby water systems, shutting them off if they are not needed (Saves water!)

Not only does the Frontier Project protect their mission statement by demonstrating that, “…sustainable building design can be economic, efficient, and inviting, by educating” those who are interested in building with energy, water, and site conservation, but they also promote environmental learning (www.frontierproject.org). They do so with a proactive approach that allows the public to use their design and resource library (free of cost!). This library contains an uncountable number of logs and books that supports the Frontier Project, and its staff, in their mission to create a more ecofriendly environment. So what are you waiting for?