Snoop collaborates with Airbnb to design pavilion for SXSW

Dan Howarth | 4 March 2014 10 comments

News: the latest celebrity to dip their toes into design is hip-hop artist Snoop, who has teamed up with holiday rental website Airbnb to create a pop-up house during next week's SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

Currently using the stage name Snoop Lion, the rapper has designed one of three kitHAUS temporary houses to be erected during the SXSW music, film and technology festival.

Snoop collaborates with Airbnb to design pavilion for SXSW — This image: pop-up interior by Snoop. Main image: pop-up exterior by Snoop

His design comprises two small rooms connected by a partially covered decked terrace. A lounge glazed on two sides opens out onto another platform in front of the structure.

This room will feature a classic Egg Chair by Danish modernist Arne Jacobsen alongside an illuminated sign that reads "BO$$".

Snoop's design will form part of The Airbnb Park, which is also set to host two more pop-ups designed by artists signed to Los Angeles label Capitol Records.

Pavilions by indie duo Capital Cities and soul musician Allen Stone will be a similar size and layout to Snoop's contribution. All the artists teamed up with designer and TV host Emily Henderson to create spaces "to best convey their personal styles".

"Musicians spend so much time on the road," said Amy Curtis-McIntyre, CMO for Airbnb. "We know they appreciate encountering great local experiences as well as the personal comforts of home when they are away from their own for so long."

The Airbnb Park will also include public spaces such as dining areas and WiFi hot spots, and will be open from 11 to 15 March. SXSW runs from 7 to 16 March.

Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Junior and who went by the alias Snoop Dogg until 2012, isn't the first celebrity to unveil design projects.

Last year rapper Kanye West repeatedly hit the headlines for speaking out about not being taken seriously as a designer.