Prime minister Tony Blair this week shortlisted 14 projects for his third Better Public Building Award.
The shortlist included a strong contingent from Manchester, including Daniel Libeskind's Imperial War Museum North (pictured), the Piccadilly Gardens and the Arup-designed Manchester Stadium used for last year's Commonwealth Games.

The rest of the shortlist ranged from civil engineering works to a dance centre and government department refit. The schemes are: Bewdley Severnside North Flood Alleviation Scheme; Bournemouth Library; Centre for Mathematical Studies, Cambridge; Cowgate Under Fives' Centre, Edinburgh; National Maritime Museum, Cornwall; Kingston Upon Hull Community Stadium; HM Treasury, London; Jubilee Primary School, London; the Laban Centre, London; M1 Junction 15A improvement scheme; Newburn Riverside industry park reclamation and infrastructure.

Speaking this week, Blair said: "These projects should act as an inspiration to all public sector clients. I'd like to see every new public building project meeting the same high standards."

The winner of the award, which is sponsored by architectural watchdog CABE and Treasury arm the Office of Government Commerce, will be announced on 22 October.