Designed by Thomas Valcke, the “Raincatcher” is a special kind of umbrella that gathers rainwater to water your garden. Blooming like a flower to catch the rain, the rain catcher comes with a valve on its belly to connect the garden hose to water your lawn and plants. A clever system of levers, weights, cables and hinges allow the “flower” to open and close automatically.
Of course, there’s also a manual override system, so you can enjoy the shade of the raincatcher as a parasol. For safety reasons the raincatcher embeds in the ground just like a real flower. An overflow valve prevents excessive storage of water, so it doesn’t burst or tear. Though ideal for average gardens, the raincatcher may also find a place on apartment terraces to store free clean water. Moreover, it prompts the preservation of natural sources, attracting the users toward a sustainable lifestyle.
[Thanks Thomas]
