Chicago Bungalow Owners Get to Strut Their Stuff

What's Hot: Live in MJ’s Home For Just $29 Million | FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums to Increase on April 1

Chicago Bungalow Owners Get to Strut Their Stuff

October 6, 2011

2115 W. Morse Ave.

Chicago bungalow owners now have their chance at stardom. Well, stardom may be a little bit of an overstatement, but the 7th Annual Richard H. Driehaus Awards will recognize outstanding restoration, renovation, and green design at bungalows in the Chicago area.

Created by the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association (HCBA), with the support of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the awards honor the creativity of that Chicago homeowners have exhibited when renovating or rehabbing a bungalow, HCBA Director of Communications Annie Grossinger told UrbanTurf. The contest has five categories:

Interior Restoration — Projects that accurately recover the details and forms of the Chicago bungalow.
Interior Rehabilitation — Projects that demonstrate a contemporary use of space while maintaining the integrity and distinctive features of the structure.
Exterior Rehabilitation — Renovations that are consistent with the lines and look of the particular bungalow and those around it.
Green Project — Projects that demonstrate the use of energy-efficient design and renovation while maintaining classic features—can be a landscape or garden project if it incorporates green elements such as native plants, permeable pavers, etc.
Small Project — Projects that preserve historic bungalow detail and form while improving one aspect of a room or the exterior at a cost of $5,000 or less.

Kitchen in 5758 N. Fairfield Ave.

Grossinger said they receive approximately 30 to 40 nominations a year. Last year, a West Rogers Park 1929 bungalow at 5758 N. Fairfield Ave. (map) was recognized for its interior restoration and a 1921 bungalow at 2115 W. Morse Ave. (map) won an award for its exterior restoration. The winners in each category receive $1,000 and a hand-crafted plaque.

Nominated projects can be whole homes, single rooms or small projects, and the panel of judges includes architects, preservation experts and civic leaders. Any project completed within the last several years is eligible. Nominations can be submitted online or mailed to HCBA at 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1125, Chicago, IL 60604. Nominees must upload or send three to five “before and after” photographs, and all nominations are due by November 2.