Four Scottish projects are among the some of the best building and conservation projects from around the world which make up the shortlist of the RICS Awards 2008.

Selected following regional heats the shortlisted entries now compete to become overall category winners in Building Conservation, Regeneration, Sustainability and Community Benefit. One shortlisted entry will win the top prize of Project of the Year.

In the Building Conservation category, the Kelvingrove New Century Project was shortlisted. This is the major building conservation and reinstatement of the Category A building.

In Community Benefit, the Eden Court Theatre and Cinema was shortlisted. The refurbishment of existing Category A buildings provided enhanced public access, new offices and front of house facilities, plus a substantial new extension to provide 270 seat theatre, two cinemas, two dance/drama studios, and new dressing rooms/back of house facilities.

-- Advertisement --

Quartermile, the £450m redevelopment of the former Edinburgh Royal Infirmary site, and one of the UK's largest regeneration projects, was nominated in Refurbishment.

Finally, in Sustainability, the Inverness District Office for the Forestry Commission Scotland was nominated. A modern purpose built office to provide a comfortable working environment for staff, whilst incorporating the principles of sustainability and with an emphasis on the use of home grown timber.

Simon Pott, chairman of the judging panel, said: "The shortlist highlights the exceptional standard of work being done today to enhance and preserve the global built and natural environments.

"The property professionals involved are vital in linking people, places and property, making the best use of limited resources, all contributing to the wider environment and community. The shortlist contains a magnificent range of exciting projects which are a credit to the skilled teams involved."

Grand Designs presenter, Kevin McCloud, will announce the overall winners at a gala awards ceremony at The Millennium Hotel, Mayfair on October 17.

(GK/JM)