PWP created an entry plaza with a major fountain on the corner of the courthouse site which spans 2.5 acres and slopes 21 feet from east to west. A stair joins the plaza with the lobby to create traditional courthouse steps. Bands of metallic-quartzite pavement alternate with linear groves of birch trees planted in a soft paving of irregular stone and grass-both bands running perpendicular to the lobby. Parallel to the stone-and-tree bands, a cascading fountain steps down the east side of the plaza; the fountain is planted with ferns and flowering water lilies. The plant palette and water elements evoke the moist north-woods character of Seattle while providing security to the glazed lobby of the courthouse.