One of the main categories in the USGBC LEED rating system is "Materials & Resources." The Frontier Project feature environmentally friendly, sustainable, and recycled-content building materials and resources. The following are some of the materials featured at the Frontier Project and how they align with the intent set in the U.S. GBC LEED rating system guidelines.
- The Frontier Project utilized waste reduction practices on the construction site, to reduce and manage construction waste, diverting approximately 85% of its construction waste from the landfill. Additionally, every consideration was given to the amount of materials needed with the goal to use materials that have less of an environmental impact where possible.
-The Frontier Project features salvaged redwood from a local winery that is used as a shade structure on the facade of the building. This material is reused and local, reducing the environmental impacts that result in the transportation of materials and products to the construction site.
- Concrete walls and flooring benefit from fly ash- 25% in walls and 40% in floors- a coal-manufacturing by-product that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
- All exterior walls of the Frontier Project are comprised of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF's). ICF's provide added insulation for exterior walls, that experience a significant heat gain. ICF's have an R22+ insulation value plus increased thermal mass.
- Carpet tiles with a pre-consumer and post-consumer content are used throughout the Frontier Project.
- Water efficient restrooms feature waterfree urinals, bathroom wall tiles that are 50% pre-consumer recycled content, 0.5 gallons per minute low flow faucets, and automatic flush low-flow toilets.
- A Passive Cooling System is used on the first floor of the building, comprised of a central Cool Tower and two Solar Chimneys.
- Low-water use and California Friendly plants require very little water or maintenance. Subsurface drip irrigation lines are used, to maximize water efficiency.
- The Frontier Project one acre site features a bioswale that directs all onsite water to a 2,000 gallon underground cistern, and 50,000 gallon infiltration basin. This water is used to irrigate plants onsite.