Principles

Water

Glass cannot carry a significant live load perpendicular to its face. This makes it very important to remove rain water from the roof as quickly as possible. Failure to remove the water would result in structural failure, showering exhibit visitors with shards of glass. The rain water is shed from the roof gable's sloped glass and sun shades into Paxton Gutters. The Paxton Gutters drain into the larger main gutters. (fig. 1) Intricate drains divert the water into the interior columns of each tier and away from the building via drain lines under the floor. (fig. 2 and 3) Sheets of white lead were used between sectional bolt plates to make the columns watertight.