LDA’s Union Terrace Gardens among 21 projects shortlisted for RIAS Awards

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Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen by Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design & LDA Design

Source: Andrew Lee

Aldourie Castle Estate, Highlands by Ptolemy Dean Architects

Source: Simon Kennedy

Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge, Aberdeenshire by Moxon Architects

Source: Simon Kennedy

The Nucleus Building, University of Edinburgh by Sheppard Robson

Source: Keth Hunter

The Port of Leith Distillery, Edinburgh by Threesixty Architecture

Source: Simon Messer Photography

Fairburn Tower, Highlands by Simpson & Brown

Source: Landmark

Adam Smith Building, University of Glasgow by Hassell

Source: Hufton+Crow

Rock Cove, Argyll and Bute by CameronWebster Architects

Source: Paul Tyagi

Caochan na Creige, Isle of Harris by Izat Arundell

Source: Richard Gaston

Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, Highlands by Threesixty Architecture

Source: McAteer Photo

HMP & YOI Stirling by Holmes Miller Architects

Source: Chris Humphries

Chryston Community Hub, North Lanarkshire by Ryder Architecture

Source: Paul Zanre

Harmeny Outdoor Learning Hub, Edinburgh by Loader Monteith & Studio SJM Architects

Source: Jim Stephenson

Rosebank Distillery, Falkirk by MLA

Source: IMDLtd

Riverside Primary School, Perth by Architype

Source: David Barbour

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LDA Design’s long-delayed Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen is among 21 projects shortlisted for the 2025 Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Awards.

The £28m revamp of the celebrated Victorian park was finally opened in December 2022 in collaboration with Stallan Brand after decades of setbacks and design changes.

The nomination means the scheme, which includes a series of new pavilions and a zig-zag path winding through the sunken pleasure gardens, could form part of the longlist for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, the Scottish equivalent of the Stirling Prize.

> Also read: Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen by LDA Design

Other projects on this year’s shortlist for the RIAS awards include a bridge in Aberdeenshire by Moxon Architects, a teaching facility at the University of Edinburgh by Sheppard Robson and a refurbishment of Aldourie Castle in the Highlands by Ptolemy Dean.

Each project will be visited by a RIAS Awards jury, which includes Ann Nisbet Studio founder Ann Nisbet, Craig Hamilton Architects founding director Craig Hamilton and V&A Dundee programme director Caroline Grewar. The jury is chaired by Jessam Al-Jawad, director at Al-Jawad Pike Architects.

RIAS chief executive Tamsie Thomason said: “I am thrilled to see such an exciting variety of projects on this year’s shortlist. Year on year, we strive to encourage entries from all corners of Scotland, and these 21 projects offer a fantastic representation of exceptional design thinking in rural and urban settings. 

”The strength of this shortlist is the diversity of project types, which provide people from all walks of life with high-quality, sustainable, and innovative architecture for working, learning, and living.

“I am very much looking forward to joining our judges as they visit each of the shortlisted projects next month, as they have the undoubtedly tough task of choosing our winners. It will be an honour to celebrate our winning practices and projects at our awards ceremony in the spring.”

The winners will be announced at the end of May, with winning projects making up the longlist for the Andrew Doolan prize and also eligible for recognition in the RIBA Awards.