One of the winners of last year’s Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Bungalow Awards.

By Natalie Terchek

The 8th Annual Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Bungalow Awards is now accepting nominations. Created by the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association with the support of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the awards honor the creativity and efforts of bungalow owners for the work they’ve done in interior and exterior renovations, restoration and green design.

Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award Categories

Interior Restoration – Accurately recovers the details and forms of the Chicago Bungalow

Interior Rehabilitation – Demonstrates a contemporary use of space while maintaining the integrity and distinctive features of the structure

Exterior Rehabilitation – Consistent with the lines and look of the particular bungalow and those around it

Green Project – Demonstrates the use of energy-efficient design and renovation while maintaining classic features. It can be a landscape or garden project if it incorporates green elements such as native plants, permeable pavers, etc.

Small Project – Preserves historic detail and form while improving one aspect of a room or the exterior at a cost of $5,000 or less

The first place winner in each category will be awarded $1,000 and a handcrafted bronze HCBA plaque.

How to Nominate a Bungalow

Bungalow owners can nominate their own homes, or can be nominated by a neighbor, friend or neighborhood association. Nominated projects can be whole homes, single rooms or small projects and will be judged by a panel of architects, preservation experts and civic leaders. Any project completed within the last several years is eligible. All nominations are due by November 7, 2012, and on-site viewing of the finalists’ bungalows will be conducted on Friday, November 16th, and Saturday November 17th.

Please mail completed nominations to HCBA at 53 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1125, Chicago, IL 60604. Submissions must include three to five before-and-after photographs of the project.