It is one of the most prestigious architectural prizes in Scotland - and five buildings in Scotland have made the shortlist for the top honour.
Scotland’s building of the year will be crowned later this year from a shortlist announced by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
Amongst the properties vying for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award is a charming hillside farmstead in Ballater, as well as major city projects in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
RIAS said the re-use of existing buildings was a noticeable theme running through the 2024 shortlist. Two of Scotland’s cultural institutions feature on the list, while the historic farmstead in Ardberg in the running has been rescued and renovated.
The awards, named in memory of architect and developer Andy Doolan, are now in their 20th year. The jury for this year’s award include chair David Kohn, author and journalist Gabriella Bennett, and Karen Anderson, president of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.
Mr Kohn, chair of the 2024 Doolan Award jury, said: “Choosing a shortlist for this year’s Doolan Award was both an honour and a challenge.
“There was a wealth of ambitious projects worthy of further celebration. The unanimously chosen final five demonstrate the breadth of contemporary Scottish architecture, from the finely-crafted to the handsomely urbane, from the revitalising of national treasures to state-of-the-art facilities. Karen, Gabriella and I are excited to experience the projects first hand and to debate which will be 2024’s best building in Scotland.”
Here are the five buildings that have made the prestigious shortlist, with a look inside some of the stunning interiors.
1. The Ardoch farmstead
The hillside farmstead in Ballater has been restored, reinstated and reinvented following a decade-long project | Ben Addy
2. Inside the Ardoch farmstead
Five buildings on the Ballater property have been renewed or repurposed as a home, studio and orangery for the owners | London Architectural Photography
3. Interior of the Ardoch farmstead
The award shortlist jury described the project as an exemplar of contemporary repair, where the art and craft of existing buildings have been retold in a re-interpretation of their own architectural language | Ben Addy
4. North Gate in Glasgow
North Gate is an urban social housing scheme on the south side of Glasgow | Nick Kane