'Building of the year' sought

The Lowry Centre: Described as "a joy to see"

Entries have been invited for the Building of the Year Award 2002.

The Royal Fine Art Commission Trust organises the competition, which is open to any new building or restoration, statue, or engineering structure completed in the UK during 2001 - provided that its exterior is visible to the public.

The Lowry Centre: Part of Salford's regeneration

Chairman of the Commission, Lord St John of Fawsley said: "This award is now in its 14th year, and has established itself as the leading independent architecture award in the United Kingdom."

Past winners have included The Lowry Centre at Salford in 2001 and London's Jubilee Line extension underground stations in 2000.

Ceremony

Other winners have included the Henly River and Rowing Museum, the Museum of Scotland, The American Air Museum at Duxford, Windsor Castle Octagonal Lantern Lobby and the Emmanuel College Queen's Building at Cambridge.

The winning building will be announced at a ceremony at the Savoy Hotel, London, on 13 June where awards will be presented by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

Judges include Lord St John of Fawsley, architects Rick Mather and Ian Ritchie CBE, and Sir Denys Lasdun's widow Susan, Lady Lasdun.

Last year's winner, Salford's Lowry Centre, won the top prize on its architectural merits but also the part it has played in regenerating the area.

The centre, designed by architects Michael Wilford and Partners, was opened by former Culture Secretary Chris Smith in 2000 and has been visited by the Queen.

The award is sponsored by British Sky Broadcasting.