Architecture
Take a Designer Approach to Your Downspout
These cool, contemporary and creative drains will maintain your home's good looks and keep the water flowing
It’s time to look at downspouts, drains and gutters in a fresh new light. While they are, admittedly, some of the least sexy architectural elements of a house, they are incredibly important for funnelling water off your roof and away from your home, preventing leaks, water damage and even protecting the building’s structural integrity. And proving you don’t need to skimp on form for function, here are some creative and contemporary downspouts that will have you reassessing your pipe dreams.
Long and linear
One single silver downspout extends from a horizontal fixture and stands out against the green siding of this house.
More on exterior metal cladding
One single silver downspout extends from a horizontal fixture and stands out against the green siding of this house.
More on exterior metal cladding
Lone soldier
A short, squat gutter can be seen extending from the top of this elevated timber volume, to filter rainwater out and over the landscape below.
A short, squat gutter can be seen extending from the top of this elevated timber volume, to filter rainwater out and over the landscape below.
Metallic blend
This copper pipe has a golden hue in harmony with its warm timber-clad backdrop, while its vertical line is in striking contrast to the horizontal boards.
This copper pipe has a golden hue in harmony with its warm timber-clad backdrop, while its vertical line is in striking contrast to the horizontal boards.
Ageing in place
Similarly, an old-style down pipe is a harmonious addition to this original brick home and its red cedar-clad extension. The timber has been left untreated to allow a natural silvering process, much like the pipe will develop a patina with age.
Similarly, an old-style down pipe is a harmonious addition to this original brick home and its red cedar-clad extension. The timber has been left untreated to allow a natural silvering process, much like the pipe will develop a patina with age.
Jutting out
This gutter stretches well beyond the walls as if the house is reaching out in three different directions.
Read more about sloping roofs
This gutter stretches well beyond the walls as if the house is reaching out in three different directions.
Read more about sloping roofs
And at the other side of the house, it extends with a strong horizontal line in contrast to the curved wall below it.
Faux structure
The angled drain pipe on this backyard balcony mimics the angled lines of the structural columns as if it too is supporting the awning.
The angled drain pipe on this backyard balcony mimics the angled lines of the structural columns as if it too is supporting the awning.
Rain chain
A rain chain is a decorative way to channel water away from a home’s foundation. They attach to the gutter through the hole where the downspout would normally be and are secured to the ground to prevent excessive movement.
A rain chain is a decorative way to channel water away from a home’s foundation. They attach to the gutter through the hole where the downspout would normally be and are secured to the ground to prevent excessive movement.
Falling on stone
Traditional chains are a minimalist, unobtrusive feature, especially on contemporary homes which often play with industrial materials. Here the rain chain deposits excess water into a pebbled grate.
Traditional chains are a minimalist, unobtrusive feature, especially on contemporary homes which often play with industrial materials. Here the rain chain deposits excess water into a pebbled grate.
Cup runneth over
This is another type of rain chain, which adds a more ornamental element to the exterior of a house. Originally developed in Japan, they make an attractive water feature while funnelling water away from the roof.
This is another type of rain chain, which adds a more ornamental element to the exterior of a house. Originally developed in Japan, they make an attractive water feature while funnelling water away from the roof.
Classic good looks
Copper pipes, which are placed symmetrically and rhythmically at the corners of this traditional white house, can’t help but stand out as elegant features.
See more traditional homes
Copper pipes, which are placed symmetrically and rhythmically at the corners of this traditional white house, can’t help but stand out as elegant features.
See more traditional homes
Awesome awning
An angled downspout pierces this awning above the front door and filters excess water into a decorative water tray at ground level.
An angled downspout pierces this awning above the front door and filters excess water into a decorative water tray at ground level.
Fine romance
On this handsome home, copper pipes have a linearity that flows with and across the architecture of the house, while the colour is in harmony with its wooden features.
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How do you feel about the creative appeal and potential of downspouts? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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View a selection of roofing and guttering products
On this handsome home, copper pipes have a linearity that flows with and across the architecture of the house, while the colour is in harmony with its wooden features.
TELL US
How do you feel about the creative appeal and potential of downspouts? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
View a selection of roofing and guttering products
In this innovative courtyard, a series of cascading trays channel water from the roof and away from the house, into a water tank at the end of the garden so that it can then be reused.