'Tiled Steps' by Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, perhaps the world's longest mosaic staircase (163 steps, 82' high), was conceived and fabricated by Irish ceramicist Aileen Barr and San Francisco mosaic artist Colette Crutcher. Over a two and a half year period, a group of neighbors raised funds and lobbied city government to make the project, unveiled in August 2005, a reality.

Over 2000 handmade tiles and 75,000 fragments of tile, mirror and stained glass went into the finished piece.

The mosaic was created in 163 separate panels by the artists, working together with project volunteers. High-fire outdoor tile was used. The panels were laid out on mesh backing, then applied to the risers by a professional tile setter, according to the highest industry standards. Finally, the tile setter grouted the mosaic and paved the treads with ADA-compliant tile.