Existing between principles of living and infrastructure, Cocoa Butter, a name given for more than just cultural homage, looks to provide the same qualities as its namesake. Cocoa Butter aims to heal a community historically plagued with scars left behind by the urban design of Robert Moses, and the overwhelming car culture of the Bronx. By connecting East Harlem to Mott Haven, this living bridge is not only an urban stitch that empowers pedestrians and NYC bike/ATV culture, but also a destination for the surrounding Black and Hispanic communities. The project provides a pedestrian bridge that links bike and foot traffic across the Harlem river and provides an urban garage space for formal and informal gatherings, markets, and bike repair. Above this bridge is a modest timber construction for housing that responds to the intergenerational aspect of the community the project serves. By providing a negotiable space for a community with shifting needs, Cocoa Butter aims to connect, conceal, and heal using an agency, transformability, and sharing.
