Airbnb fund: Kiwi wins $100,000 nest egg to build designer bin

A New Zealand woman has won a share of US$10 million to build her dream bach.

Jacqueline Y’s designs for a quirky “bird’s nest” shaped BnB were among Airbnb’s OMG winning entries! Funds. At the beginning of June, the ad site invited budding hosts to propose an unusual rental project. The weirder, the better.

Out of tens of thousands of entries, the final 100 were chosen from 23 different countries to receive up to US$100,000 (US$177,000), to help bring their ambitious Bach projects to fruition.

Jacqueline was the sole winner of Aotearoa. The “Kiwi Bird’s Nest” won over the jury for its use of old farm buildings and a tower to create an elevated kōhanga for sleeping. The finished design promises a 360 degree view from a rooftop perch.

“New Zealanders are looking not only for unique accommodation, but also for unique destinations to take a break from everyday life,” says Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand.

From UFOs in North Canterbury to yellow submarines in Whanganui, unusual properties have been a hit on Airbnb. Wheeldon says OMG! The fund was launched to add more unusual properties to the platform.

The judges complemented Jacqueline’s artistic vision. Australian architecture expert Koichi
Takada was a fan of “feathered lampshades, egg chairs and hay elements”.

The plan also promises free-range eggs and goat’s milk to guests when they visit the small farm.

She now only has 10 months to draw up plans and build the quirky designer bach.

Although applications were requested for unique accommodation proposals, there were definite themes in the submissions.

Airbnb had 1,214 lofty proposals to build — even more — treehouses.

Strongly themed designs were also popular. This included 509 mushroom-inspired designs and 777 submissions for giant fruit.

Across the divide, four Australian designs have also secured funding – including a concrete Eco-Igloo, a floating capsule dubbed the “Kngaroom” and a mountaintop bubble.

Here is a selection of OMG $10 million recipients:

The 100: Recipients of Airbnb’s Most Unique OMG Designs