The University of Aberdeen's £35 million Science Teaching Hub is one of five projects in the running to be named Scotland's Best Building.
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has revealed its 2024 shortlist for the annual award which celebrates exceptional contemporary Scottish architecture.
The Science Teaching Hub was previously shortlisted for the Education Building or Project of the Year in the Scottish Design Awards.
The 73,194 sq ft facility provides teaching and laboratory space over three floors and a central atrium which was designed to inspire collaboration between the chemistry, medical sciences, biological sciences and geosciences students who study there.
It also supports diversity and widening access by encouraging surrounding communities to access it.
Inspired in part by buildings of the Enlightenment period, the Hub ‘exudes a sense of quiet and controlled scientific optimism’ and is reported to have impressed the jury with its high quality and architectural precision.
“The Science Teaching Hub represents the University’s commitment to attracting and nurturing the next generation of scientists who will go on to tackle the biggest challenges of our time – from climate change and the energy transition to food security and beyond,” said Professor Peter Edwards, Vice-Principal of Regional Engagement and Science Teaching Hub project sponsor.
“As well as boasting cutting-edge facilities, it was designed to be flexible and adaptable – creating a space that encourages natural interdisciplinary collaboration between students. To have this recognised by RIAS is fantastic.”
Other buildings shortlisted for the 2024 award include The Burrell Collection and North Gate Social Housing in Glasgow, and the Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh.
David Kohn, chair of the jury, said: “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."
The winner will be announced in at an awards ceremony at the V&A Dundee on November 21.