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July 2016 31 the team had to dig a well below the grade of the vaults so they could install a pump to drain water to the city's sanitary system. In spite of the challenges that arose, Land Expressions worked as a team to create the splash pads in time for the plaza's grand opening on the Fourth of July, 2014. The new Children's Fountain brought fun energy and an active community to the city's downtown, creating a multi-use gathering space for both children and adults. Pyrotek Headquarters Courtyards When Pyrotek Corporation relocated its headquarters to down- town Spokane, they hired Land Expressions to design and build two outdoor spaces for employees and visitors to enjoy. The catch? Both are located below street level, a full story below the city sidewalk. Both sites were custom designed with the intention that if they were viewed together, they would appear related. (In fact, at first glance, we at LC/DBM didn't realize there were two separate spaces – we thought it was one courtyard.) The east and north courtyards were worked on simultaneously over the course of five months. A mini excavator was lowered 20' down from street level to as- sist with the construction process; in fact, all of the equipment and materials had to be lowered over a safety wall at street level into the spaces. A crane was needed twice and a crane truck was needed four times, requiring the shutdown of the major downtown streets above the courtyards each time. The work on each courtyard began with the demolition of the ex- isting space. The MEP and drainage were designed next, and cast in place waterproof concrete installed, using water stops and cold joints instead of a liner. Following that, the hardscapes were laid, including decking, concrete flatwork, and pavers placed on a pedestal system. The stainless steel water feature was completed next, and finally, the softscape was installed. The stainless steel basin water feature in the east courtyard flows in two different directions. A thin plate was carefully placed in the center of the feature to divide the water. The plate was positioned so it would be nearly invisible. One end flows at 200 gallons per minute while the other flows at 60 gallons per minute. Both go into one ba- sin, ensuring the water quality remains the same. The water feature in the north courtyard is made of concrete, and flows at 60 gallons per minute from the upper basin into the lower basin. The lower basin divides two seating areas within the 60' x 20' Above: The first step in constructing the courtyards was demolition of the existing space, followed by drainage and the mechanical, electrical and plumbing. The completed stainless steel water feature in the east courtyard, which was installed after the hardscapes, has water flowing in two different directions. A plate in the middle of the feature, nearly invisible, divides the water. One side flows at 200 gallons per minute and the other flows at 60 gallons per minute. Both share one external basin, so the water quality is the same on either side.