The Frontier Project Stats
• LEED® (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design)
Platinum-rated building.
• Designed to use less than 100,000
kWh of electricity per year, nearly
65% less than Title 24 Standards.
• At approx. 900 Therms/yr
(natural gas), the building uses less
than one-third of Title 24’s recommended
3,500 Therms/yr.
• Saves 550,000 gallons of water
per year using the onsite water
retention system.
• CO2 equivalent emissions are
less than half a standard building:
125,000,000 lbs/yr.
• 5% estimated improved employee
productivity.
the district selected Turner Construction
Special Projects as the general contractor
and the project broke ground. Construction
was completed in October 2009, and
the building celebrated its official Grand
Opening in November of that year.
Environmentally efficient design elements
that are fundamental to The Frontier Project
include a cool roof, green roof and photovoltaic
solar array; a passive cooling system
featuring a cool tower and two solar chimneys;
Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls
that use recycled content and double the
building’s exterior shell insulation value
to R-45; water-efficient plumbing fixtures;
extensive use of natural daylighting; low
volatile organic compound (VOC) paint,
carpeting and glues; and cabinets, furniture,
and flooring utilizing high recycled
content. All of these elements were specifically
selected to function collectively
www.ca-nv-awwa.org 17
in a working environment, The Frontier
Project encourages others to make choices
that reduce environmental impacts and
ultimately save them money.”
The project was initiated in 2004 when
the CVWD executive team began discussions
with the Board of Directors about an
environmentally sustainable demonstration
facility. That same year, CVWD hired
HMC Architects to produce a preliminary
The Frontier Project Goals
• Provide interactive indoor
and outdoor educational
resources for students and
the general community.
• Aid, promote, and advance
principles of sustainable design.
• Create and demonstrate
sustainable living and
working practices.
• Outreach to residents and
business owners on incorporating
practices for more efficient use
of natural resources.
design. HMC proposed the innovative
idea of a collaborative design process
that included three design brainstorming
sessions involving representatives from
the district, the architects and design and
product experts.
In 2007 CVWD initiated a Capital
Campaign with the goal of raising 50 percent
of the estimated construction costs.
The $14 million project was funded partially
by sponsors and partners, including Itron,
Nestle Waters North America, Herman
Miller, Rain Bird, HMC Architects, Turner
Construction and the Chino Basin Water
Conservation District through cash and inkind
product donations. The balance was
funded by the District. With the design
completed and funding ongoing, in 2008 Continued on page 30
When the Cucamonga Valley
Water District (CVWD)
decided to add to its
existing campus, it chose
an environmentally efficient building that
not only demonstrates both water and
energy efficiency but functions as a unique
educational resource. The 14,000-squarefoot
LEED® Platinum building was built
on a 1.5 acre site that features drought
tolerant landscaping and provides a living,
breathing demonstration of environmental
efficiency for residents and businesses; a
place where “green” products and systems
are being used and demonstrated every day.
“As one of the only environmentally sustainable,
education facilities in the region,
The Frontier Project enables visitors to consider
products to incorporate in their own
home or business,” says Martin E. Zvirbulis,
CVWD General Manager/CEO. “By showcasing
the latest sustainable technologies
The Gallery features a glass curtain wall of double-paned glass with a low e-coating. The three-
story space uses natural daylighting during the day. Inset: The South Garden’s plant materials and
hardscape are designed to mimic the flow and movement of water without any active water element.
Silver orbs and tumbled mirrors provide a reflective element. An underground cistern captures
rainwater and runoff to be reused for landscape irrigation. All photographs by Ryan Beck.
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