The notion of a traditional “designer show house” has been challenged by OBSIDIAN, a virtual concept house by the Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG). The futuristic dwelling is set in the Oakland Hills in the year 2025, and designed exclusively by twenty-three Black Artists + Designers Guild members, including two Rising Stars (creative futures invited to participate in conjunction with BADG’s mission to foster the next generation).
Each space was conceptualized with a focus on four principles: Innovation, Technology, Sustainability, and Futurism. The project, which addresses decades of environmental injustice, allows the creators an opportunity to pair inspiration with aspiration, drawing from their perspective, expertise, and experience–asking the question, What should home look like for Black families? (Editor’s Note: This podcast with BADG founder Malene Barnett and designer Leyden Lewis is a great listen on the project.)
Visitors can virtually “walk through” the home, exploring the space and learning about each creator’s vision. From outdoor spaces to family rooms to meditation sanctuaries, each room imagines a pathway to a fuller more authentic freedom for Black families. You can take a peek at some of our favorite rooms in the slideshow, but don’t miss the full home tour here, and be sure to check out their live events on Instagram Wednesday + Friday.
The Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG) was founded in 2018 by Malene Barnett, an artist based in Brooklyn, NY, to combat the lack of representation of Black talent and culture in the design industry. BADG is a global platform representing a curated collective of independent Black artists, makers, and designers across various art and design disciplines who are at the top of their respective fields. The Black Artists + Designers Guild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; all donations are 100% tax-deductible and support our mission to build a more equitable and inclusive creative culture by advancing a community of independent Black artists, makers and designers in creative industries. Learn more here.