What will win in 2004 - could it be a house extension, a hotel, an art gallery or office block? All new building projects in Scotland designed by an architect, no matter how big or small, will be considered.

The panel of four architect judges will be looking for innovative, exciting and imaginative new buildings that have that WOW! factor. Last year they found it in An Turas, the amazing ferry shelter on Tiree; and in Dance Base, Edinburgh in 2002. The architects of the winning building will receive £25,000, making this the biggest architecture prize in the UK and one of the biggest in the world.

"The RIAS Award for Architecture has established itself as one of the top architecture prizes in the world. The quality of the buildings that have been submitted over the last two years show what an incredibly exciting time this is for Scottish architecture. The Award recognises the enormous talent within the architectural profession, much of it home-grown, which is restoring Scotland to its rightful place as an international centre of good architecture." John Pelan, RIAS Director of Communications.

The judges for the 2004 Award are: Andrew Doolan, Andrew Doolan Architects, Edinburgh; Gordon Murray, President, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland; Professor Andy MacMillan, Emeritus Professor, Mackintosh School of Architecture; Hennu Kjisik, Harris-Kjisik Architects, Helsinki.

The closing date for entries to the RIAS Award for Architecture, Best Building in Scotland is 31 May 2004. The winner will be announced in October.