The Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG) Lab initiative was commissioned by Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, for their exhibition "Making Home-Smithsonian Design Triennial." Conceptualized and designed by the visionary BADG Curatorial Team, this project draws inspiration from the Underground Railroad, the remarkable network that emerged in the early 19th century, through which countless enslaved African Americans pursued their quest for freedom.

Strategically installed throughout the Andrew and Louise Carnegie Mansion, each floor of the exhibition is thematically organized to evoke the multifaceted experiences of home. This initiative forms a crucial part of the “Going Home” section, which delves into how individuals shape their domestic spaces and, in turn, how those spaces influence their lives. It thoughtfully examines the historical and personal influences that inform home design, revealing its profound impact on people's experiences, behaviors, and values.

The library installation serves as a striking 21st-century sanctuary, enriched with art, objects, artifacts, and books celebrating Black legacy. With contributions from over thirty talented makers, this abundance of objects pays tribute to African Diasporic legacies. By reimagining and repurposing Andrew Carnegie's personal library, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the power of home libraries and the essential role of literacy, particularly as a poignant reminder of the restrictions faced by African Americans under slavery.

Featuring 25 site-specific, newly commissioned installations, "Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial" powerfully explores the role of design in shaping both the physical and emotional realities of home across the United States, U.S. Territories, and Tribal Nations. This exhibition stands as the seventh in the museum’s Design Triennial series, established in 2000, which boldly confronts the most pressing topics of our time through the transformative lens of design.