Abuelita Masala

Project Type: CULTURAL, PUBLIC SPACE

Collaborators: STATEN ISLAND URBAN CENTER, STATEN ISLAND THERAPEUTIC GARDENS, BAIT-UL JAMAAT HOUSE OF COMMUNITY
Consultant: SILMAN ENGINEERING
FUNDING PARTNER: THE URBAN DESIGN FORUM, Association for neighborhood and housing development
FABRICATION: T+J SET DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY: FYODOR SHIRYAEV
Videography: Daequan Collier

A+A+A collaborated with the Staten Island Urban Center, Staten Island Therapeutic Gardens, and Bait-ul Jamaat to revitalize Tompkinsville Park in Staten Island, transforming it into a vibrant community hub. A key component of this revitalization was the implementation of a new Afro-Caribbean and Latin Food & Spice market and accompanying structure “Abuelita Masala” 

Abuelita Masala is a functional art piece and vital storage space located in the heart of the market. This flexible and small A-frame structure can transform from a closed storage container into an open kiosk that can support various community arts and cultural programming such as a performance stage, a lending library, or community pantry. The structure also includes a rain collection system that nourishes a nearby pollinator garden. 

Abuelita Masala acts as an open invitation to the community to discover and engage with local cultural programming and artists who represent the Afro-Caribbean and Latin heritage on-site. Cultural events and seasonal art murals will be hosted as ongoing programming through the Staten Island Urban Center and Friends of Tompkinsville Park.