Airbnb Launches Samara Design and Architecture Division

Airbnb has launched Samara, a new real estate division dedicated to design and architecture, targeting smaller towns with less tourist traffic. The division's debut project is the Yoshino Cedar House, a prototype presented at the House Vision 2016 fair in Tokyo (running until August 28, 2016). Designed in collaboration with Japanese architect Go Hasegawa, the house will be permanently located in Yoshino, a rural town in the Kansai region near Nara. It will be bookable through Airbnb, with management and rental income handled by local residents. The project emphasizes traditional Japanese construction techniques and local materials, aiming to foster social connections between travelers and host communities. Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia stated, "The Yoshino Cedar House is just one of many seeds," hinting at future expansions. Samara's multidisciplinary team focuses on underserved areas, complementing Airbnb's existing coverage of over 34,000 cities worldwide.