Airbnb, a global home-sharing company, has launched a $1 million fund to find and finance the world's most unique home ideas to make them a reality. 

Announced yesterday on Airbnb's official website, Airbnb's "The Unique Airbnb Fund" is the company’s first-ever $1 million program designed to search the most unconventional and unusual liveable spaces on the planet. 

The Unique Airbnb Fund program will award 10 recipients selected by an expert panel of design and style innovators, including Emmy®, Tony and GRAMMY Award-winning actor Billy Porter, Airbnb Superhost Kristie Wolfe, of the famed Big Idaho Potato Hotel, and global and cutting-edge architecture firm MVRDV.

An elephant-sized stay on the Jersey Shore

All design enthusiasts can submit their proposals from here by April 15, 2020. All submissions will be scored against criteria based on creativity, feasibility, sustainability and social good, more information can be found here. 

10 winners will be awarded with $100,000 cash prize each to build the most unconventional Airbnb they can dream up (Whether it’s a new idea or a restoration plan, send your pitch and tell Airbnb why you believe it belongs in the world).

The Boot - Fairytale Accommodation in Nelson, New Zealand.

Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of the company’s three co-founders, the Unique Airbnb Fund is meant to enable anyone with an extraordinary house idea to design and build it into a reality, and share it with travelers all over the world.

Sheep Wagon at Shash Dine in Page, Arizona.

"The only thing better than pushing the boundaries of style, is empowering others to do the same. I’m thrilled to join Airbnb in this global search for the most outrageous, spectacular home ideas ever. I can’t wait to see these concepts developed by design lovers from around the world firsthand," said Style icon Billy Porter.

"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. Personal wunderkammers will be created for guests to appreciate and be inspired by," said MVRDV partner Fokke Moerel.

Big Idaho Potato Hotel in Boise, Idaho.

Airbnb stated that searches for unexpected and unique spaces – such as shepherds huts, windmills and tiny houses – have increased by nearly 70 percent over last year on Airbnb.

Camaya Bali Suboya - Magical Bamboo House in Bali, Indonesia.

Some of the most booked listings of all time include domes, RVs, treehouses, and yurts across the world. Applicants can draw inspiration from a plethora of unconventional Airbnb stays, including an elephant-sized stay on the Jersey Shore and the Boot - Fairytale Accommodation in New Zealand. 

Cabana Spa Zen in Raray, France.

A chance to enter the Unique Airbnb Fund is now open until 11:59pm EST on April 15, 2020. The ten winners will be selected by the panel of judges mentioned above by May 15, 2020. For more information, see the Official Rules.

Top image: UFO Futuro Style flying Saucer in Reedberth, UK. Image courtesy of Airbnb

All images courtesy of Airbnb

> via Airbnb