Almost 100 buildings in the UK and Europe have been recognised for their architectural excellence by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
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This is the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon - rebuilt by Bennetts Associates - with its new 1,000-seat, thrust-stage auditorium.
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Eye-catching sports venues among the 97 shortlisted buildings include the Olympic Park Velodrome in east London (top) and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (bottom). The former - designed by Hopkins Architects - is applauded for its aura of elegance and simplicity, while the latter - by Populous/Scott Tallon Walker - is praised for its organic form.
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Designed as one of Alain de Botton’s Living Architecture projects, this balancing barn was praised by the judges for creating a sense of obscure but pleasurable unease. Designed by Dutch firm MVRDV, it sleeps eight people and stands on the edge of a nature reserve a few miles inland from the Suffolk coast.
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This Love Shack in the Ambleside area of Cumbria - designed by Sutherland Hussey Architects - is one of the many domestic residences that have been singled out for praise by the RIBA judges. Local timber, natural topography and stunning views make this a highly skilled architectural piece in their eyes.
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Fittingly perhaps, this photo shows a bird's eye view of an unusual wooden hide built at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' nature reserve at Titchwell in Norfolk. One side of the Haysom Ward Miller-designed building looks out on a fresh water lagoon, while the other offers a perspective on a salt water marsh.
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The McManus Galleries in Dundee, Scotland is awarded for adapting an existing 1867 building and its 1889 extension. An internal glazed lobby, a sculptural stairway (right) and a new plaza are among the boldly contemporary additions by Page/Park Architects.
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Hopkins Architects were praised for combining and renovating two existing historic structures, the Newton and Arkwright Buildings at Nottingham Trent University, described as a seamless transition between new and old. All the winners are now eligible for the Stirling Prize for best building, to be presented in October.
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