Monday September 22nd 2025
Outside of Edinburgh University's Nucleus building. Photo by Keith Hunter.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) today reveals the four projects that are in the running for the 2025 RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award – Scotland’s foremost annual architecture prize.
This year’s shortlist includes projects that celebrate architecture’s place alongside other disciplines in the built environment, including a public realm project that transforms the landscape of central Aberdeen, and a new destination and a rural infrastructure project that preserves a previously overladen historic bridge. Furthermore, the shortlist highlights the value of futureproofing, both in new and old buildings – from the skilful restoration of a historic landmark in the Highlands, bringing this back into use for the enjoyment of visitors and generations to come, to a new education building for University of Edinburgh, which has been designed from the outset to adapt to new and evolving ways of working, studying and teaching.
Interior of Edinburgh University's Nucleus Building. Photo by Keith Hunter.
The new ‘Nucleus Building’ at Edinburgh University by Sheppard Robson was built in Janurary of this year and was designed to be a vibrant new heart of the university campus. The learning hub provides a focal point and meeting place for students and staff, uniting a variety of teaching, learning and social environments.
Providing students with both quiet and collaborative areas, the diverse amount of spaces allows the building to support the university’s different ways of studying, teaching and socialising.
The RIAS explained: “Proudly integrated into the local community, the Nucleus Building is a considered, enduring and generous example of civic architecture, that reposnds to a multifaceted brief and sets a powerful precedent for Scottish university design.”
Interior of Edinburgh University's Nucleus Building. Photo by Keith Hunter.
Established 23 years ago in 2002, the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award marks the pinnacle of the RIAS’ annual awards programme. It borrows its name from visionary Scottish architect/developer Andy Doolan who passionately believed in the importance of promoting great design and making architecture accessible to everyone. In his memory, the Doolan Award seeks to find and celebrate the best building in Scotland each year, with ongoing support from the Scottish Government.
Architectural projects in all sectors and in all regions of Scotland are eligible, and the shortlist is drawn from the winners of the 2025 RIAS Awards, which were announced in June. The projects are assessed by an expert jury, comprising Mary Duggan (jury chair) – founder, Mary Duggan Architects; Gordon Murray – Research & Design Consultant, Gordon Murray Architects; and Richard Waite – news editor, Architects’ Journal.
The 2025 Doolan Award jury look at each project’s architectural integrity, usability and context, delivery and execution, and sustainability.
Mary Duggan, chair of the 2025 Doolan Award jury, said:
“This year’s rigorous selection process has produced a diverse shortlist of intelligent schemes that not only demonstrate architectural excellence but also engage directly with the shifting political and behavioural circumstances that shape our public life.
“They reveal how architecture can reinforce, respond to, and even anticipate these changes. I look forward to the upcoming visits and the conversations with my fellow jury members.”
Following this announcement, the judges will visit each of the shortlisted visits, ahead of determining the winner of the 2025 RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, which will be announced in December.
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