Open-air pool pavilion and social housing among best buildings winners

News imageClaire Meadows A white restored pavilion next to an open air pool.Claire Meadows
The restored Tarlair open-air pool pavilion is in Macduff in Aberdeenshire

Ten buildings have been unveiled as the winners of the annual Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) awards.

The buildings include new social housing, healthcare and education buildings, and a restored pavilion at an historic open-air pool.

The winners will now compete for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland prize.

This will be awarded in November.

Edinburgh Futures Institute, by Bennetts Associates

The repair and remodelling of the Category A listed Victorian hospital creates "exceptional" new facilities for the University of Edinburgh.

The judges described how the project demonstrates technical mastery while preserving the integrity of the historic building.

News imageKeith Hunter Edinburgh Futures Institute, a Victorian hospital with a clocktower.Keith Hunter
Edinburgh Futures Institute was the focus of "technical mastery"

Lorram, Plockton, Highlands, by Baillie Baillie Architects

Colin and Megan Baillie designed and built this contemporary interpretation of a traditional Highlands cottage for themselves, "celebrating the use of timber as well as local tradition".

The judges were impressed by the project's focus on craftsmanship and sustainability, describing it as "profoundly poetic".

News imageMurray Orr The interior of a cottage, with a wooden table and chairs, with mugs and flowers on the table, a sideboard, sofa, painting on a wall, and window at the side.Murray Orr
Lorram was praised as being poetic

Neilston Learning Campus, East Renfrewshire, by BDP

BDP created a shared campus for Neilston Primary School and St Thomas's Primary School.

The judges noted how the project used connections with the outdoors to support learning, active lifestyles and access to nature.

News imageDavid Barbour Neilston Learning Campus, the bright interior of a building with a skylight, and adults and children inside.David Barbour
Neilston Learning Campus promotes access to nature

Paisley Central Library, Paisley, by Collective Architecture

This project brought a "dilapidated" historic building back into use as a "dynamic and community-focused" new central library.

The judges were impressed by the building's ability to reflect the "energy and grain" of the town, while providing a "calm and welcoming" environment.

News imageKeith Hunter Paisley Central Library, a white-framed front of building, there are books on shelves inside, and also a Dalek as seen on television's Dr Who.Keith Hunter
Paisley Central Library has turned a new page

Parkhead Health and Social Care and Community Hub, Glasgow, by Hoskins Architects

Parkhead Hub's facilities include a library, pharmacy, cafe and social care.

The judges described it as a building that is "simultaneously functional, engaging and community-focused, illustrating how design can transform everyday services into inspiring, human-centred spaces."

News imageKeith Hunter The exterior of a bright building with many rectangular windows.Keith Hunter
Parkhead Hub was said to be an inspiring space

Preston Tower, Doocot and Gardens, East Lothian, by GRAS

Preston Tower is a "sensitive and inspiring" restoration of a 15th Century structure.

It is a project described by the judges as one that "exemplifies careful stewardship of heritage, combining delicacy, rigour and social relevance to produce a building and landscape that is enduring, inspiring and beloved by its community".

News imagePaula Szturc An historic brick tower, with a modern staircase to the right hand side.Paula Szturc
Preston Tower has been the focus of a restoration project

St Andrew's Drive, phases two and three, Glasgow, by jmarchitects

This social housing project in Pollockshields replaces 1960s housing blocks with 120 new homes.

The judges were impressed by the architects' ambitious approach and ability to make the most of the site, balancing residents' needs, social interaction, and environmental responsibility.

News imageKeith Hunter A brown building with rectangular windows, behind trees, under a cloudy clue sky.Keith Hunter
St Andrew's Drive in Glasgow has seen 1960s housing replaced

Tarlair Outdoor Pool Pavilion, Macduff, Aberdeenshire, by Studio Octopi

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 - demonstrated how "sensitive design" can revive a historic site while embracing contemporary use.

News imageJames Kerr An open air pool can be seen, taken from inside a restored pavilion building.James Kerr
The Tarlair pavilion was praised for its sensitive design

The Canna House Project for the National Trust for Scotland, Isle of Canna, by LDN Architects

The Canna House Project is said to have reinstated the Category B building to its heyday, thanks to a "painstaking" programme.

The judges commented that the project stood as an "exemplary" model of conservation.

News imageSteven Gourlay An old fashioned-looking interior of a building, featuring a winding staircase, chairs, sideboards, and an old rug on the floor.Steven Gourlay
Canna House was the focus of "painstaking" work

Usher Building, University of Edinburgh, by Hassell

This purpose-built centre for population health research and innovation provides a "flexible, inclusive and collaborative" environment.

The judges praised the project's balance of civic ambition, technical innovation and human-centred design.

News imageHufton + Crow A large building block set among grass and trees, under a light blue sky.Hufton + Crow
The Usher Building was praised for technical innovation

RIAS president Karen Anderson described the awards as once again demonstrating that "great architecture adds value" across Scottish society.

"These 10 projects show just how much well-designed buildings, and the re-invention and careful stewardship of our heritage, can give joy and improve our day-to-day lives whether at work, at leisure or at home," she said.

"It's really important through our awards to be able to recognise the creativity, skills and commitment of the architects and project teams that make great projects happen."