The longstanding water crisis in California has turned our attention to structural features that can minimize a home’s impact on the environment \u2014 but this time, things might get a little wet. Rather than depending solely on a region’s public water supply, incorporating rainwater harvesting and collection systems can provide a supplemental source of water for drinking (the quality is often better than surface water), cleaning, irrigation and bathing.<\/p>\n
For homes located in remote areas, or in times of drought, rainwater harvesting systems \u2014 including innovative roof pitches, gutters<\/a> and water tanks<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 can form the main water supply, if enough rainwater is properly stored. Homes with rainwater harvesting systems often use slightly pitched roofs to filter rainwater into storm pipes, which feed into large cisterns underground for storage and later use.<\/p>\n The benefits of rainwater harvesting systems go beyond just use in the home, helping to reduce storm water runoff, erosion, and contamination of water surfaces with pesticides. Scroll through to see beautifully designed homes that collect rainwater for everyday uses, thereby reducing their impact on the environment.<\/p>\n Search for Roofing Manufacturers<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a9 Herreros Arquitectos<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Herreros Arquitectos<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n House in the Countryside<\/b><\/a> by Herreros Arquitectos<\/a>, Arta, Spain<\/p>\n An inverted roof not only gives this home a distinct crown, but it also collects rainwater and filters it to a cistern for storage.<\/p>\n \u00a9 STUDIO-FV<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 STUDIO-FV<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n OutSide In House<\/b><\/a> by Fernanda Vuilleumier Studio<\/a>, Puerto Natales, Chile<\/p>\n This wooden home’s pitched roof functions like a wind sail to make air flow in one direction and capture rainwater for storage.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Avignon-Clouet Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Avignon-Clouet Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Shishiodoshi House<\/a><\/b>by Avignon-Clouet Architecture<\/a>, Rez\u00e9, France<\/p>\n To comply with local plans, an aluminum overhang collects rainwater, activating a Japanese-style fountain that filters water to a retention pool.<\/p>\n \u00a9 D U S T<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Tucson Mountain Retreat<\/b><\/a> by D U S T<\/a>, Tucson, AZ<\/p>\n Rooted in the desert, where water is always scarce, the design incorporates a generous 30,000 gallon rainwater harvesting system with an advanced filtration system.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Sanders Pace Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Sanders Pace Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Cape Russell Retreat<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>by Sanders Pace Architecture<\/a>, Sharps Chapel, USA<\/p>\n A butterfly roof<\/a> directs and delivers rainwater to a collection cistern located beside the home, while an internal charcoal filter and ultraviolet light treat the water for potable use.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Bercy Chen Studio LP<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Bercy Chen Studio LP<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Cascading Creek House<\/b><\/a> by Bercy Chen Studio LP<\/a>, USA<\/p>\n The roof structure is configured to provide a natural basin for the collection of rainwater. The water, electricity, and heat that are harvested on the roof tie into an extensive climate conditioning system that utilizes water source heat pumps and radiant loops to supply both the heating and cooling for the residence.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Richard Cole Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Hilltop House<\/b><\/a> by Richard Cole Architecture<\/a>, Australia<\/p>\n The Hilltop House is naturally ventilated, uses energy-efficient LED lighting<\/a> and collects and recycles rainwater on the roof.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Djuric Tardio Architectes<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Djuric Tardio Architectes<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Eco-Sustainable Antony House<\/b><\/a> by Djuric Tardio Architectes<\/a>, Antony, France<\/p>\n This eco-friendly home’s recovery of rainwater is used to water the gardens and planters, allowing its homeowners to cultivate aromatic plants and gardens without over-consuming the public water supply.<\/p>\n Search for Roofing Manufacturers<\/a><\/p>\n Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer<\/a>\u00a0and sign up for our\u00a0inspirational newsletters<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rainwater harvesting and storage systems can be a home’s main water supply.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":44078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"architizer_featured_type":"insert","architizer_featured_image":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,3],"tags":[28702],"architizer_project":[],"architizer_brand":[],"architizer_firm":[],"architizer_product":[],"class_list":["post-19672","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-collections","category-inspiration","tag-architectural-details"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2c5c307c.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\t
\n\t
![\"rainwater](\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1375118451273outsidein11.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\t
\n\t
\n\t
\n\t
![\"rainwater](\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/7fca09fa.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\t
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/82c3a6a4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\t
\n\t
![\"rainwater](\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/e516cd00.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\t
\n\t
![\"rainwater](\"https:\/\/blog.architizer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/abc9cb8b.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\t
\n\t