Airbnb launches a $1million fund to turn the world’s wackiest home ideas into reality


Airbnb is searching for the world’s wildest home ideas – and has launched a $1million fund to make them a reality.

Design enthusiasts from around the world are being asked to submit proposals for unconventional and unusual liveable spaces – and 10 of these will receive Unique Airbnb Fund financing.

An expert judging panel – Emmy and Grammy award-winner Billy Porter, Airbnb superhost at the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, Kristie Wolfe, and architecture firm MVRDV – will sift through the entries to pick the 10 winners.

All submissions will be scored against criteria based on creativity, feasibility, sustainability and social good.

Airbnb says the fund has been inspired by the ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ of the company’s three co-founders and is meant to ‘enable anyone with an extraordinary house idea to design and build it into a reality, and share it with travellers all over the world’.

Design enthusiasts have until April 15, 2020, to submit their proposals on the Airbnb website. If you need some inspiration, scroll down and check out some of the wackiest homes already listed on the site…

Cabane Spa, France 

The Cabane Spa is a spectacular treehouse property located in Raray, an hour north of Paris in northern France

The treehouse, described as being 'perfect for couples', has just one bedroom and can sleep up to two people. It also boasts a Nordic bath, pictured

The treehouse, described as being ‘perfect for couples’, has just one bedroom and can sleep up to two people. It also boasts a Nordic bath, pictured

Lucy the Elephant, New Jersey 

Lucy the Elephant, one of the oldest roadside attractions in the US, is now a $138-a-night Airbnb. She is six storeys high and has one bedroom and one bathroom

Lucy the Elephant, one of the oldest roadside attractions in the US, is now a $138-a-night Airbnb. She is six storeys high and has one bedroom and one bathroom

The bedroom inside Lucy the Elephant, which was built in 1881. According to the listing for the New Jersey oddity, 'the grand bed, sculptures and vibrant flower arrangements will take you right back to the Victorian era'

The bedroom inside Lucy the Elephant, which was built in 1881. According to the listing for the New Jersey oddity, ‘the grand bed, sculptures and vibrant flower arrangements will take you right back to the Victorian era’

The Boot, New Zealand 

The Boot, on the Tasman Coast of New Zealand, is described as a 'spellbinding hideaway'. It sleeps two guests and boasts a bedroom and a bathroom

The Boot, on the Tasman Coast of New Zealand, is described as a ‘spellbinding hideaway’. It sleeps two guests and boasts a bedroom and a bathroom

The lounge area inside The Boot. The listing states: 'Your accommodation is a creative feat of architecture, with large open fireplaces inside and out, a luxurious queen-sized bed, a shower built for two, flowers, chocolates and homemade treats, and your own private courtyard'

The lounge area inside The Boot. The listing states: ‘Your accommodation is a creative feat of architecture, with large open fireplaces inside and out, a luxurious queen-sized bed, a shower built for two, flowers, chocolates and homemade treats, and your own private courtyard’ 

Big Idaho Potato Hotel, Idaho 

The Big Idaho Potato Hotel in Boise was originally designed and built by the Idaho Potato Commission in 2012. Now it has been transformed into a $200-a-night Airbnb, which is described as a 'cozy, grown-up getaway for two'

The Big Idaho Potato Hotel in Boise was originally designed and built by the Idaho Potato Commission in 2012. Now it has been transformed into a $200-a-night Airbnb, which is described as a ‘cozy, grown-up getaway for two’  

Inside the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, which features a king-sized bed, a lounge area, a toilet and a metal barrel bathtub. It is surrounded by 400 acres of farmland with a little-used railroad running alongside it

Inside the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, which features a king-sized bed, a lounge area, a toilet and a metal barrel bathtub. It is surrounded by 400 acres of farmland with a little-used railroad running alongside it

The Sheep Wagon, Arizona 

The Sheep Wagon is at the Shash Dine Eco-Retreat and is described as a glamping experience. The Airbnb listing says: 'Have you ever wanted to sleep in a covered wagon in the middle of nowhere under a brilliant starry sky? We can make that happen'

The Sheep Wagon is at the Shash Dine Eco-Retreat and is described as a glamping experience. The Airbnb listing says: ‘Have you ever wanted to sleep in a covered wagon in the middle of nowhere under a brilliant starry sky? We can make that happen’ 

The wagon has space for just two guests but does not come with a bathroom. The listing adds: 'This stay is very minimalist. One will be immersed in nature'

The wagon has space for just two guests but does not come with a bathroom. The listing adds: ‘This stay is very minimalist. One will be immersed in nature’ 

UFO Flying Saucer, Pembrokeshire 

The UFO is a 'one-of-a-kind' rental close to the popular seaside resorts of Tenby and Saundersfoot in Wales. It can sleep up to four people and also has a dining area and basic facilities such as a kettle and a microwave

The UFO is a ‘one-of-a-kind’ rental close to the popular seaside resorts of Tenby and Saundersfoot in Wales. It can sleep up to four people and also has a dining area and basic facilities such as a kettle and a microwave 

Inside the UFO, which has a monitor where guests can play classic 80s computer games such as Space Invaders and Defender

Inside the UFO, which has a monitor where guests can play classic 80s computer games such as Space Invaders and Defender 

Camaya Bali Bamboo House

The Camaya Bali Bamboo House is situated on the edge of a valley and according to its Airbnb listing has 'stunning views over the rice terraces and the peak of Mount Agung in the distance'

The Camaya Bali Bamboo House is situated on the edge of a valley and according to its Airbnb listing has ‘stunning views over the rice terraces and the peak of Mount Agung in the distance’ 

The open bedroom on the ground floor of the bamboo house, which can sleep up to four guests. The listing adds: 'Wake up with the birds chirping in the morning and enjoy the incredible view over the quiet rice terraces from your bedroom'

The open bedroom on the ground floor of the bamboo house, which can sleep up to four guests. The listing adds: ‘Wake up with the birds chirping in the morning and enjoy the incredible view over the quiet rice terraces from your bedroom’ 

Sky Dome with mountain views, Argentina  

The Sky Dome, pictured, is located in El Bolson in Patagonia and has been built using 'sacred geometry patterns inspired by the sphere'. The first floor has a glazed ceiling 'from where you can see the sky - it offers a visual portal to the stars at night'

The Sky Dome, pictured, is located in El Bolson in Patagonia and has been built using ‘sacred geometry patterns inspired by the sphere’. The first floor has a glazed ceiling ‘from where you can see the sky – it offers a visual portal to the stars at night’ 

One of the two bedrooms inside the Sky Dome, which can sleep up to four people. The listing says: 'The cabin is dome-shaped. It produces a feeling of serenity, containment, re-connection and rest'

One of the two bedrooms inside the Sky Dome, which can sleep up to four people. The listing says: ‘The cabin is dome-shaped. It produces a feeling of serenity, containment, re-connection and rest’ 

Cabana Floripa, Brazil 

According to its Airbnb listing, Cabana Floripa, pictured, 'seems to levitate on the mountains thanks to its glass walls that allow guests to enjoy a 360-degree view over the territory'

According to its Airbnb listing, Cabana Floripa, pictured, ‘seems to levitate on the mountains thanks to its glass walls that allow guests to enjoy a 360-degree view over the territory’ 

Cabana Floripa has two bedrooms that sleep up to five guests. It is described as being 'full of magic'

Cabana Floripa has two bedrooms that sleep up to five guests. It is described as being ‘full of magic’