The 7,000-capacity arts venue designed by Rem Koolhaass practice and formerly known as Factory International finally opened two years ago at a cost of 241 million double its original budget and an estimated four years late. The building was initially expected to complete in 2019.OMA originally won the competition to design the centre back in 2015, selected ahead of Zaha Hadid Architects and Rafael Violy among other. It had a 111.6 million price tag when the plans were approved two years later. However, the project was beset by problems and budget overruns and in 2020 Ryder was drafted in to help tackle the spiralling costs.This years North West regional shortlist is almost half the size of the 13-strong list of contenders in 2024. The list once again features Sheppard Robsons new School of Science, Engineering and Environment for the University of Salford, which has been resubmitted after failing to go on and pick up a regional prize last year.AdvertisementOther schemes in contention include shedkms Lighthouse Church in the Wirral, a religious space with a glazed frontage on Heswall high street, Cullinan Studio and 10architects The Catkin Centre and Sunflower House a mental health centre for children in Liverpool and Smith Young Architects extension of an Edwardian House in Cheshire, called Vestige, for a private client.This years North West region features two shortlisted hotels: Falconer Chester Halls Municipal Hotel & Spa by M:Gallery in Liverpool, and Campbell Driver Partnership Ltds Langdales Chase Hotel at Windermere. Source:Jack HobhouseThe School of Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE), University of Salford, Manchester, by Sheppard RobsonRIBA North West jury chair Dominic Wilkinson, principal lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, said: This years shortlist demonstrates the regions ongoing ambition to create high-quality architecture, with a strong selection of projects across a range of scales.Public buildings are well represented, with a commitment to excellence which offers hope for the civic realm. From small houses to large events venues, and from new builds to creative adaptation of historic structures, the shortlisted projects highlight a serious commitment to minimising carbon footprints and reducing the environmental impact of the construction sector, displaying the positive role architecture plays for both clients and the wider community.All projects shortlisted for the RIBA North West awards will be visited by a jury, and the winning projects will be announced later this spring.AdvertisementThe winners will then be considered for several RIBA Special Awards, including the RIBA Sustainability Award and RIBA North West Building of the Year, before being considered for a RIBA National Award, the winners of which will be announced in summer.The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize the UKs best new building will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects in September. The Stirling Prize winner will be announced in October at a ceremony at the Roundhouse in London.RIBA North West awards shortlist 2025Aviva Studios Factory International, by OMALangdale Chase Hotel by, Campbell Driver Partnership LtdLighthouse Church, by shedkmThe Catkin Centre and Sunflower House, by Cullinan Studio with 10architectThe Municipal Hotel & Spa by M:Gallery, by Falconer Chester HallThe School of Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) Building, University of Salford, by Sheppard RobsonVestige, by Smith Young Architects