There are many awards for design and architecture: incredibly prestigious accolades such as the Pritzker Prize at local competitions, there are hundreds of ways to be recognized for moving, innovative and impactful work. But a new architectural competition is upsetting traditional moulds. Instead, the judges want to see how crazy someone can come up with a design. Enter the Oh my god Airbnb! Funds.
The short term rental company announced last week that it would award $100,000 to 100 people to bring their otherworldly design ideas to life. The fund is named after the “OMG” category on the website, where users can find unusual accommodation options, such as a spatialshipa craneor one pirate ship (currently there are over 30,000 listings in this group). The company is asking “anyone with an extraordinary idea”, whether an architect, a designer or a do-it-yourselfer, to submit their proposal to the competition in order to have the possibility of Airbnb funding the actual construction.
Four judges will evaluate the entries, looking for originality, feasibility, sustainability and the experience the project will offer potential guests. Iris Apfel, interior designer and fashion icon, is probably the most notable name on the panel, although Koichi Takada, founder of the Sydney-based international studio Koichi Takada Architects; Bruce Vaughn, Vice President of Creative Experiential Products, Airbnb; and Airbnb superhost Kristie Wolfe, who the company has described as a “prolific creator of OMG! Listings,” will also help judging entries. For inspiration, check out some of Wolfe’s funky Airbnbs, like a potato hotel, Crystal Peak Lookout, Big Island Treehouse and Cocoon Cottage.
The company noted a growing trend towards flexible living as a catalyst for competition, noting that Airbnb customers themselves are looking for more unexpected spaces as destinations, rather than just places to crash after a long day of exploring a new place. Applicants can submit their application to Airbnb’s website before the end of the contest on July 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET
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