Yahoo Finance Airbnb offers $1.5m to Aussies with ‘creative’ home ideas
Struggling to fill in the hours while self-isolating? Why not try your hand at architecture?
Castles, islands, vineyards: Airbnb launches new ‘Luxe’ accommodation
Stop the party: Airbnb encourages sensor devices to prevent house parties
AI: Airbnb has power to warn hosts about ‘narcissistic’ guests
Airbnb has launched a $1.5 million fund designed to finance quirky and unusual home designs.
Ten recipients will be selected to share in the fund and turn their design proposals into a reality, the share accommodation platform said on Wednesday.
Searches for unusual spaces including windmills and yurts have increased nearly 70 per cent over the last year, Airbnb said in a statement, with the Unique Airbnb Fund designed to promote further unusual designs.
Proposals will be based on feasibility, sustainability, creativity and social good and designers have until 1:59pm AEST on 16 April to submit their ideas.
Entries will be judged by a panel including including Emmy, Tony and GRAMMY Award-winning actor Billy Porter, Airbnb Superhost Kristie Wolfe, and global architecture firm MVRDV.
“The Unique Airbnb Fund is a great initiative that makes hospitality exciting. It will empower people to create new spaces with daring, imaginative and fantastic architecture,” MVRDV partner Fokke Moerel said.
Porter added that the only thing better than “pushing the boundaries of style” is encouraging other people to do the same.
Help, I need inspiration
Airbnb suggested designers check out some of Australia’s quirkiest designs for inspiration.
JR’s Ecohut in Gundagai NSW is a beautiful and cozy tiny house with a view of the Murrumbidgee river flats.
The Bruny Island Hideaway is another tiny house with an indoor fireplace and outdoor bath.
Or how about a night in a train carriage? The Steam: Train Carriage retreat actually gives guests an entire train to themselves.
But designers could also look abroad for inspiration.
You could live out your Moulin Rouge! dreams by staying in this elephant-sized home on the Jersey Shore.
Closer to home, you could stay in The Boot, a fairytale style accommodation in New Zealand.
Or for a real tree house, the Cabana Spa Zen in France offers a stay among the leaves.
Make your money work with Yahoo Finance’s daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news.
Follow Yahoo Finance Australia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
