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Home / How Are Black Crickets Getting in My House

How Are Black Crickets Getting in My House

We all know that certain homes are much more than four walls and a roof. They are more like stalwart companions, backdrops to our milestones, lifelines even. "We call it an anchor house," says artist Malene Barnett, founder of the Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG). "It's where you go if there's a birthday, a funeral, whatever. That is what we wanted to embrace in the Obsidian House."

the atlantic is an outdoor space by ishka designs
"The Atlantic" is an outdoor space by Ishka Designs.

Courtesy BADG

A virtual concept show house created by 25 architects, artists, and designers from BADG, the Obsidian House is set in the Oakland Hills in 2025. It was conceived early in the pandemic, as many designers and architects found their projects on hold. "We started thinking, How can we use our creativity to construct something that we are the narrators of and the clients for, and what does that look like?" Barnett says. "For so long, Black-owned spaces have been denied, rationed, or forced to be subminimal. The idea that we can create a grand house with room for everyone and everything is empowering."

the welcome space, by cheryl umbles, is inspired by the african diaspora tradition of keeping one's home open to all
"The Welcome Space," by Cheryl Umbles, is inspired by the African diaspora tradition of keeping one's home open to all.

Courtesy BADG

The year 2025 was selected as an accessible future: removed from our immediate reality but close enough to encourage inspiration. It's also related to the concept of Afro-Futurism, which informed the designers' creations. "We can't necessarily look to the architectural canon to see how a Black family should live," architect Nina Cooke John says. "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."

the umoja room by interior obsession is a multipurpose family space

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. Multigenerational living is paramount, with lots of bedrooms, a guest suite, and open living areas. Traditional motifs fulfill modern needs. For example, the Solare, a hobby space, was inspired by Jamaican markets. In response to constraints imposed by the pandemic, rooms were delegated for exercise, relaxation, and meditation, with outdoor space for growing food and taking walks.

the harmony room is an eating area and flexible space by laura hodges studio

There are special touches throughout, from a gold wellness space with an acupuncture machine to an interactive Sankofa wall—the name is an adinkra concept meaning "go back and get it"—that functions as a family archive, with photos and videos that can be summoned with a swipe. Most important, it is a place for rest and retreat, a haven from whatever new disaster is brewing outside. Sounds good, doesn't it? Welcome home.

Tour the Obsidian House here.

This story appears in the April 2021 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW

Style and Interiors Writer Olivia Hosken is the Style & Interiors writer for Town & Country, covering all things design, architecture, fashion, and jewelry.

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How Are Black Crickets Getting in My House

Source: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/home-decor/a35916944/tour-badg-obsidian-house-2021/