The Iconic Home, a leading virtual show house from AD and Black Interior Designers, Inc (BID, Inc.) is coming back on October 26, 2023. Now in its third installment, this year’s showcase builds off of successful iterations in 2020 and 2021 to highlight the latest interior innovations by some of the industry’s premier Black designers and architects. “Get ready to witness the pinnacle of excitement as BID embarks on its third iteration of The Iconic Home with AD,” NeKeia (Keia) McSwain, president of BID, Inc., says. “This year’s Iconic Home [offers] a glimpse into a future where creativity and sustainability thrive harmoniously within multigenerational living,”
In every version of the Iconic Home, designers have been asked to consider a unique challenge present in modern living. Though years past saw designers tackling issues of indoor-outdoor harmony and sustainability, this time the house, in partnership with Genesis Motor America and Sub-Zero Wolf, is focused on accessible design for all generations.
“This year’s theme for The Iconic Home feels very relevant,” Amy Astley, AD’s global editorial director and US editor in chief, says. “As more young adults and multiple generations find themselves under the same roof, our wholly original virtual experience celebrates intergenerational living, offering unique and creative inspiration for how people of all ages can seamlessly share a beautiful home.”
Lagos-based talent Tosin Oshinowo serves as the lead architect for virtual residence. Eight cutting-edge Black talents will then outfit Oshinowo’s modernist-inspired home, each transforming one of the rooms into alluring spaces that highlight what it means to live in a home for all ages. Powerhouse Nikki Chu is conceptualizing the garage, Linda Hayslett is managing the kitchen, and Laura Hodges is tackling the great room and bar. June Reese is designing the primary bedroom, NeKeia McSwain the primary bath, and Byron Risdon the kids’ bedroom. The mother-in-law suite is being conceived by Ron Woodson (kitchen and living) and Michael London (bed and bath).
The photorealistic house will be brought to life by The Boundary, a leading architectural visualization company. McSwain promises that touring the virtual property will be a “transformative experience where diversity flourishes, inspiration ignites, and the extraordinary unfurls before your very eyes.” While inside, visitors can directly shop products used by the designers, which include comprehensive offerings from both established and up-and-coming brands.
“At AD we are honored to continue our partnership with Black Interior Designers, Inc. illuminating BID members across AD’s platforms throughout the year and now debuting our spectacular showcase together for the third time,” Astley adds.
Named for BID, Inc.’s late founder, Kimberly Ward, the Iconic Home provides an opportunity to highlight the breadth of creativity and talent from Black designers today. Before Ward died in 2017, she’d chosen the term Iconic Home as both a brand for BID, Inc. editorial content and a one-day show house for the organization. Today, the Iconic Home from AD and BID, Inc. lives on in her honor.
