# Self-Sustaining Houses The Windcatcher House Operates Completely Off the Grid By Jordan M | Published 2011-02-07 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-windcatcher-house References: [designbuildbluff.org](http://www.designbuildbluff.org/project/dbb_2010_windcatcher.php) If a zombie apocalypse were to happen tomorrow, the Windcatcher House is where you'd want to be. Built by students from the [University of Colorado](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biohome3d) at Denver using [rammed earth and local clay](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cobbauge-house), the Windcatcher House is a 1,100 square foot, two-bedroom home that supplies all of its own climate control, power and water needs. This is achieved through a clever passive design that regulates temperature and air flow into the home, a [wind tower which generates energy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blademade) and an extensive rainwater collection system. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 40% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Self-sustaining Houses:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the home construction industry by creating eco-friendly, off-grid houses that can meet all their own energy and water needs. - **Passive Design:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the architectural industry by developing passive design techniques for regulating temperature and air flow in buildings. - **Rainwater Collection:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the water management industry by creating efficient rainwater collection systems for residential and commercial buildings. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Home Construction:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the home construction industry by creating eco-friendly, off-grid houses that can meet all their own energy and water needs. - **Architecture:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the architectural industry by developing passive design techniques for regulating temperature and air flow in buildings. - **Water Management:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the water management industry by creating efficient rainwater collection systems for residential and commercial buildings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Solar Powered Compact Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e55000.md) - [Off-Grid Self-Sufficient Island Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earth-house.md) - [Turbine-Based Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blademade-1.md) - [Sustainable Solar-Powered Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-wanda.md) - [Water-Powered Family Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breach-house.md) - [Climate-Responsive Prefab Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drop-pod.md) - [Sustainable Off-Grid Minimal Cabins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fremont-house.md) - [Off-Grid Mobile Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/offgrid-mobile-home.md) - [Climate-Smart Rural Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vernacular-home.md)