- Airbnb launched a fund to entice designers to come up with
their most creative living spaces.
- The top 100 winners will now receive money to make their creation come to life.
- Airbnb users will be able to rent the spaces by the middle of 2023.
Early in 2022, Airbnb announced that they would be launching a new project called the OMG! Fund.
The aim of the project is to finance 100 of the most out-of-this-world ideas and to turn them into actual places that people can rent on Airbnb in a new category aptly titled; OMG!.
Now recipients from 23 countries, with the most mind-blowing design, have been selected to start building their creations.
The winners will each be given $100 000 and have their creations be ready for guests by summer 2023 (winter 2023 in South Africa).
The South African winners include, a Salt Cave and Forest Dwelling With Glass Bottle, a Stargazing Stone Igloo, a Desert Flower Opening to Star-Filled Sky and a Modern African Earth Retreat in the Bush.
Other winners include a lighthouse in Sweden accessible only by boat, and a fossilised dinosaur skull in the desert.
SEE SOME OF THE WINNING DESIGNS HERE:
"The winning ideas stood out for their unique and inspiring
design, sustainable consideration, and novel ways of offering immersive guest
experiences," Airbnb said in a statement to the press on Monday.
The judging panel included design and style icon Iris Apfel, architectural expert Koichi Takada, Airbnb Superhost Kristie Wolfe, and Airbnb VP of Experiential Bruce Vaughn.
"What an incredible journey it has been to be a part of the OMG! Fund judging process. There were so many inspiring stories and destinations that I had never heard of before that I’m now eager to visit," said Kristie Wolfe. "As a builder myself, I can’t wait to watch these ideas come to life. These are more than just places to spend the night – each one offers an entire experience!"