Airbnb launches ‘OMG!’ category for bizarre places, and SA is on there

Earlier this year, Airbnb launched a fund to encourage designers to come up with ideas for the wackiest, wonderful, out-of-this-world living spaces, for a chance to have these creative ideas come to life through Airbnb’s ‘OMG! Fund’.

Out of tens of thousands of applicants all over the world, 100 aspiring designers, architects and makers from more than 20 countries have been selected to bring their weird living space ideas to life. The fund has divided a whopping $10 000 000 (R179 963 000) amongst the chosen applicants who are now responsible for bringing these ideas to life.

The designs that were chosen stand out for their one-of-a-kind and inspiring form, sustainable considerations and all the special quirks designers have come up with to make their spaces immersive for guests.

Winning designers have each been given $100,000 USD (R180 523) to make their fantastical imaginings come to life. Over the next 10 months, recipients of the fund will design, build and outfit their spaces to be ready for guests by summer 2023, as part of Airbnb’s new OMG! Category.

South African recipients of the fund include Abraham V. who will be creating a ‘Desert Flower Opening to Star-Filled Sky,’ Liezl M, who is designing a ‘Salt Cave and Forest Dwelling With Glass Bottle,’ Jaco B, who promises ‘Stargazing Stone Igloos’ Juane V, who is building a ‘Modern African Earth Retreat in the Bush.’

Other chosen ideas from around the globe include a ‘Dragon Egg in the Forest’, ‘Liveable Giant Mushroom Spaceship in the Middle of the Jungle,’ ‘Modern Cereal Lover’s Paradise,’ ‘Floating Terrarium in the City,’ ‘Dome-House Floating in a Koi Fish Pond,’ and a ‘Giant Mirrored Disco Ball Glamping House on Wheels!’

Airbnb shares a look at some of the designs in the works:

Livable Giant Fossilized Snail in the Desert, Diego Z., Mexico

Stargazing Sphere Suspended in the Rocks Orien R., United States

The Ultimate Music Lover’s Hideaway Madeleine T., United Kingdom

Floating Avocado in an Avocado Farm Ignacio M., Chile

Desert Flower Opening to Star-Filled Sky Abraham V., South Africa

Pictures: Airbnb

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