Restored historic buildings make Scottish architecture shortlist

Three projects to reuse and restore historic buildings are in the running for the award for best building in Scotland.

The outdoor swimming pool pavilion in Macduff, Aberdeenshire, Paisley's central library in Renfrewshire and Edinburgh Futures Institute made the shortlist in the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award.

Run by The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), it is the country's foremost architecture accolade.

The prize was established in 2002 by Scots architect Doolan, and renamed in his honour after his death two years later.

All three projects in this year's shortlist are open to the public.

The winner will be announced at the end of November.

The judges said the three shortlisted buildings - which were selected from 10 winners of the annual RIAS awards earlier this year - represent the "imaginative reuse and restoration of existing, historic buildings", demonstrating how architects can bring new life to existing buildings.

When first built in the 1930s, Tarlair Outdoor Pool was one of the first such art deco structures to be built and one of the largest outdoor pools in Scotland.

The judges said Studio Octopi's restoration of the Tea Pavilion - part of a wider programme to bring the pools fully back to use - was "a magical project, a phenomenal client, a fantastic collaboration", and demonstrated how "sensitive design" can revive a historic site while embracing contemporary use.

Paisley Central Library was developed by Collective Architecture for Renfrewshire Council to bring a "dilapidated" historic building in the town centre back into use as a new venue.

The building was structurally upgraded to create a "robust, community-oriented destination" using light and views to provide a "calm and welcoming environment".

The judges said the project showed "how under-used high street buildings can be revitalised into inspirational spaces for learning and connection".

The University of Edinburgh building making the shortlist was previously a Category A listed Victorian hospital.

Bennetts Associates repaired and remodelled the facility for Edinburgh Futures Institute to include a 450-seat auditorium, teaching and social spaces, and a new public square.

Judges said the "transformative" works "preserved the integrity of the historic building yet created a modern, welcoming, clever, and stimulating place that people want to work in and return to".

RIAS president Libby Heathcote, who was one of the judges, said making the shortlist was a challenge because of the "exceptional calibre" of the eligible buildings this year.

"The three chosen projects are testament to the quality, innovation and rich diversity of building design in Scotland," she said.

"All three tap into important, current conversations around community, collaboration, retrofit and reuse across three very different contexts."

The judges will visit each building in person before making a final decision.