Stawell Steps is built on the edge of Lake Cato in the regional Victorian town of Stawell. The project was a collaboration that involved Japanese Architect Hiroshi Nakao, local brick maker Krause Bricks and the Grampians Shire Council.

Primarily built as a lake overflow spillway, the project is a demonstration of how the necessity for flood infrastructure can be creatively leveraged to provide public space.

Exploring the functional and expressive potential of brick as a construction material, students and staff co-designed the project with Nakao and then worked with the council and local brick layers on site to realise the project.

When: Design and Made 2012

Staff Responsible: Nigel Bertram

External Collaborators: Hiroshi Nakao, Krause Bricks, Northern Grampians Shire Council

Level of Students: Master of Architecture

Number of Students: 18

Completed Project Photographs: Peter Bennetts