Rather than closing off the light wells at the roof level, I have decided to leave them open to the elements, allowing rain to penetrate the building. In doing so, the theme of maintaining a strong connection with the outer environment is upheld while providing a unique interior. Apart from this, it provides functional benefits as it allows rain to reach the plant life below for necessary watering. It also provides a sustainable means to provide water for the water features planned on the ground floor.
After some calculations and exploration, I found that the most effective way of preventing water from entering the floors of the building is to provide an interior tube for rainwater direction. If the tube is suspended within the light wells, space between the glass enclosure and the floor plates will allow vertical or low-angled rain to enter on the outside of the tube for a natural, open rainfall. However, when the rain is heavier and angled due to high wind, it will only enter on the inside of the tube and through dripping on the outside to prevent the rain from being directed into the building beyond the light well opening. The top floor plate will also have a slightly smaller opening so that vertical rain keeps a small distance from the edge of the interior floor spaces. I have also noted that the lightweight suspension system for the tube must angle down and inwards to allow water to drip towards the tube as it gathers on the suspensions.
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