Are you looking for an extraordinary accommodation experience? Airbnb announced the winner of the “OMG! Fund,” which shows us the craziest and most outstanding building ideas for accommodation. As part of the $10,000,000, OMG! Fund, 100 ambitious designers, architects, and makers from more than 20 countries/regions were chosen from thousands of entries worldwide.
The winning concepts stood out for their unique and innovative design, environmental awareness, and creative approaches to providing immersive visitor experiences. Recipients will each get up to USD 100,000 to make their imaginative dreams a reality and will design, build, and decorate their spaces over the following ten months to be visitors by summer 2023.
The judging panel includes interior designer, and fashion 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 one of the jury members and designer of “Potato House,” Kristie Wolfe. “As a builder, I can’t wait to see these ideas come to life. These are more than just places to spend the night – each offers an entire experience!”
The tens of thousands of entries ranged from sci-fi literature, but certain natural aspects and architectural motifs were particularly popular: 400 concepts provided breathtaking views of the night sky; 961 ideas included music in some form; fruit inspired 777 designs; while wine inspired 680 others. 7,931 contestants presented a sustainable energy source; 1,214 concepts incorporated treehouses, 389 featured hanging buildings and 509 mushroom-inspired entries.
The one of OMG! Fund recipient Pablo C. from Mexico said, “The inspiration came from the works of many science fiction movies,” and added, “The idea was to do something out of the ordinary, never seen before, something rare and beautiful that would impress any human being. The result is an organic form spaceship – a six-meter high pillar, embraced at 360 degrees by trees.”
Also, another fund recipient Ignacio R. from Chile, the creator of the Floating Avocado House idea “is about the connection with nature. I have spent most of my life on our family farm – the happiest childhood memories come from there. It has something so special that just resonates with me. That’s why I have this dream, this calling, of sharing it with more people.”
