The renovation of a house not only serves to maintain its value and personal comfort, but can also, in the best case, support the passing on of an architectural heritage if done well. This is exactly what the façade competition, which the city of Bonn has been organizing for many decades with Sparkasse Köln-Bonn and the Haus und Grund Bonn/Rhein-Sieg association, is all about. By awarding prizes, the city of Bonn and its partners want to recognize the efforts of homeowners who, by extensively renovating the appearance of their often historic property, also have a positive impact on the streetscape.

Nine successfully renovated houses were honored in the 46th façade competition in March 2024. The sponsors Sparkasse Köln-Bonn and the Haus und Grund Bonn/Rhein-Sieg association once again jointly supported the competition with 11,000 euros.

Deputy Mayor Nicole Unterseh presented the certificates and prizes to the award-winning owners in the Old Town Hall. She was supported by Martina Westebbe, Head of Private Customers Bonn and Cologne-Southeast at Sparkasse Köln-Bonn, and Wieland Münch, Chairman of the Board of Haus & Grund Bonn/Rhein-Sieg.

A total of 14 owners had submitted their applications. The jury, chaired by architect Stefan Schevardo and made up of city planning officer Helmut Wiesner as well as other architects and two master painters, deliberated on each property. The jury's decision was based on the evaluation criteria of the style and appropriateness of the renovation, the harmony of shapes and colors and the overall impression.

The committee had a total of 11,000 euros in prize money to distribute.

The 1st prizes, endowed with 1,800 euros each, went to

• Händelstraße 18
• Kessenich Street 119
• Michaelstraße 7

The 2nd prize, endowed with 1,100 euros each, goes to

• Bismarckstraße 20
• Humboldtstrasse 16
• Jean-Paul-Straße 6

The jury selected the following properties for 3rd place, endowed with 750 euros each:

• Blücherstraße 25
• Jean-Paul-Strasse 4
• Kurfürstenstrasse 13

Magnificent and lavishly renovated facades can be admired in numerous places in Bonn, especially in Südstadt and Bad Godesberg. The City of Bonn, Sparkasse Köln-Bonn and the Haus und Grund Bonn/Rhein-Sieg association recognize the commitment of citizens who preserve their historic property through extensive renovations by holding the façade competition.

The façade competition was initially held annually and has been held every two years since 2015. Since 1972, more than 4,200 owners have taken part and more than 1,000 façades have been awarded prizes for successful renovations.

The jury's decision is based on the evaluation criteria of stylistic and practical appropriateness of the renovation, the harmony of shapes and colors as well as the overall impression. All submitted properties are assessed by the expert jury consisting of architects, representatives of the Painters' Guild, the Rhineland Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and the City Planning Authority.

Even though many listed buildings are regularly entered for the competition, listed status is by no means a prerequisite for participation and the award. Mayor Katja Dörner expressly encourages all homeowners to take part. After all, the responsible and exemplary handling of the architectural statement of a house, the consideration of the surroundings through harmonious integration into the cityscape and outstanding craftsmanship are worthy of an award. "Even a 'normal' building can achieve this so well that the jury awards a prize," said the mayor.