The stepwell notion is an ancient Indian occurrence that dates all the way back to Medieval times. They were built not simply as an addition to the structure, but for their utility. These baolis were dug deep into the Earth and served as a year-round source of water. This mechanism can be brought back to life in order to capture water rather than relying on contemporary technologies.
Utilizing this method in portsunlight as an experiment may prove beneficial in reclaiming rain water for practical purposes and horticulture, as well as adding an aesthetic element to the site.