Driehaus Awards

DRIEHAUS BUNGALOW AWARDS

Increased prizes in
celebration of the 20th year!

Created in 2005 by the Chicago Bungalow Association with the generous support of The Driehaus Foundation, the Driehaus Bungalow Awards are our annual juried competition honoring the creativity and efforts of homeowners like you. Be inspired by past winners, and submit your own home improvement project for a chance to win up to $1,500 in seven award categories, including interior and exterior renovations, restoration, and landscape design!

View past award-winning project photos in our gallery:

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View Project Videos

Nominate your projects for the 20th Annual Awards!

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Nominations due September 25, 2024

About the Awards

Background

The Driehaus Bungalow Awards were created in 2005 by the Chicago Bungalow Association, with the generous support of The Driehaus Foundation. An annual juried competition, the Awards honor the creativity and efforts of homeowners for the work they’ve done in interior and exterior renovations, restoration, and landscape design.

Having grown up in a Chicago bungalow on the South Side of the City, Richard H. Driehaus personally knew the value that the architecture of these homes bring to both families and neighborhoods, and the importance of celebrating bungalow owners' dedication through these awards in order to inspire others. The Driehaus Foundation is CBA's strongest supporter, and their generous grants fund the work of CBA, including these awards.

Nomination Guidelines

Must be a CBA-certified brick Chicago bungalow located in the City of Chicago
Nominated project must have been completed within the last 5 years
You may nominate more than one project, but you must submit a separate nomination form for each

Important 2024 Dates

Nominations must be submitted by 11:59pm on Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Finalists will be contacted October 1-3 to schedule a one-hour photo/video shoot between October 4-6

Nomination Categories

Exterior Rehabilitation: Appropriate rehab or restoration of exterior areas (including garages), or compatible new additions
Interior Rehabilitation: Rehab of interior area for contemporary use while maintaining significant bungalow features
Interior Restoration: Accurately recovers historic details and forms of the Chicago bungalow
Small Project: Completed at a cost of $5,000 or less
Green Project: Demonstrates sustainability or energy-efficiency
Landscape Design: Gardening and landscaping to enhance the home's visual impression
Window Restoration: Repair or restoration of original wood windows (NOT window replacement)

The elegantly arched doorway of Mr. Driehaus' boyhood bungalow in Brainerd frames his sister, Dorothy (Driehaus) Mellon's on her wedding day October 10, 1965.

Photo Credit: Pacyga, D. A., & Shanabruch, C. (2003). The Chicago bungalow. Chicago: Arcadia Pub.

Winner Awards

Cash award of $1,500
Bronze award plaque
Display at award ceremony
Recognition on CBA website, social media, and in newsletter

Runner-Up Awards

Cash award of $1,000
Bronze award plaque
Display at award ceremony
Recognition on CBA website, social media, and in newsletter

Judging Criteria

The panel of judges is selected by the Chicago Bungalow Association and is composed of architects, preservationists, community leaders, neighborhood development and energy efficiency professionals. Nominations are judged on the overall visual impression, creative design solution, and how well the project maintains the integrity of the Historic Chicago Bungalow. Additional criteria considered includes a diverse geographic and ethnic distribution of selections. One winner and one honorable mention is selected in each category.

Judges for the 2023 Driehaus Awards included Suzanne Germann, Master of Science in Historic Preservation, Director of Grants & Easements at Landmarks Illinois; Jackie Montesdeoca, Master of Science in Historic Preservation, and Director of Building Electrification at Elevate; Faith Rackow, Master of Science in Historic Preservation, and our former Deputy Director; Jackie Riffice, Master Gardener, and Founder of Prairie Godmothers; Sarah Ware, Immediate Past President of the Chicago Association of Realtors®, Principal and Designated Managing Broker at Ware Realty Group, and CBA Board Member; and Nicole Wheatly, Community Development Consultant for the City of Chicago and owner of Steps Inc. Consulting, specializing in revitalizing neighborhoods.

Increased prizes in celebration of the 20th year!

19 years of Driehaus Award Winners Mapped!

Our work to create these awards is generously funded by The Driehaus Foundation.

Congratulations, 2023 Winners!

2023 Driehaus Bungalow Award Finalists

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