Stairway to heaven: Coventry’s Whittle Arch regeneration scheme, part of a £1m plan to transform the city centre, is among 17 public projects shortlisted for the government’s Better Public Building awards.

It was designed by MacCormac Jamieson Prichard and built by Butterfly Construction for Coventry council.

Other shortlisted schemes include the Peabody Trust’s Raines Court scheme in Hackney, east London. It was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and built by Wates Construction.

The winners will be announced on 28 October.