BADG LAB
OBSIDIAN
VIRTUAL CONCEPT HOUSE
An expansive vision of living and dwelling for Black families.
OBSIDIAN is a virtual concept house launched by the Black Artists + Designers Guild in January 2021. It represents the organization’s inaugural initiative, designed to invite new conversations about the space of home as a place of thriving for one million Black families. Guided by the belief that Black futures are equitable, sustainable, and liberatory, we have created a virtual space that manifests our collective imaginings.
The Obsidian Virtual Concept House embraces possibility. Here we showcase an enlightened way of being and dwelling, designed on our own terms, as a virtual experience for Black families. In this future, home is our sanctuary where family and work life are intertwined and rest, safety, nourishment, spiritually and joy are central to our vision. Some areas will remain recognizable, while others will have been completely reimagined.
The Obsidian House is named for the rock, which symbolizes protection and connection to the earth, and its rooms are centered on the idea of sanctuary.
Creators conceptualized their spaces with a focus on four principles; Innovation, Technology, Sustainability, and Futurism, further conveyed through seven key fundamentals that express the intent of Obsidian and its mission; Wellness, Identity, Sustenance, Terra, Legacy, Ancestral Futures, and Dwelling.
When we dream about living, people tend to dream bigger than what’s available. This is a moment for us to show our own people that those dreams aren’t out of reach.
- LEYDEN LEWIS
We can’t necessarily look to the architectural canon to see how a Black family should live, so we dream of an idealized future instead. We hoped to provide an answer to what a home designed by Black people for Black people might look like.
- NINA COOKE JOHN
Meet the Designers
The project spotlights the work of more than two dozen Black creatives, led by architect Nina Cooke John and designer Leyden Lewis.
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