Suzanne McTaggart looks at some of the buildings and spaces which made the shortlist..

ST MARGARET'S PARISH CENTRE

St Margaret's Parish Centre is one of this year's 2009 Leeds Architecture Awards front-runners and is one of Horsforth's most popular landmarks.
After 30 years in the pipeline, the new development at St Margaret's Church was unveiled to the public in the summer of 2008.
The building, which was shortlisted in this year's RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards, cost around £400,000 – but several thousands of pounds are owed, with events still being held to raise money for the Building for the Future fund.

The new extension, which has two meeting rooms, is linked to the large gothic Victorian church by a glass corridor and can be used by different groups in the area.

It is also eco-friendly, with ground-source hot water for under-floor heating and washing, an underground rainwater harvesting tank for the toilets and recycled glass bottles for high thermal insulation.

The history of the church building started in 1865, when land was given for a new church after the former venue, the old Bell Chapel on The Green, became too small for the size of the congregation.

The full church building took more than 36 years to complete, with the nave and chancel completed in 1883. The belfry, spire and porches were added later and dedicated in September 1901.

The new centre is used for wedding receptions, baptism celebrations, funeral teas and birthday parties, as well as concerts and conferences.

ROSE BOWL

The Rose Bowl at Leeds Metropolitan University received the royal seal of approval when it was opened by the Duke of Kent in May.

The £57m building, which became the new home for Leeds Business School last month, is the flagship building at the university's Civic Quarter campus.

The five-storey signature building contains lecture theatres, teaching areas, offices and catering facilities.

University chiefs hope that the Rose Bowl will be a catalyst for
business in the region.


WONDERWOOD

Wonderwood, a fake woodland featuring real grass and brightly coloured wooden trees, rabbits and windmills, is nominated in the brand new Temporary Works category, which recognises the temporary use of vacant spaces.

The site at Holbeck Urban Village was only supposed to be open for the summer months, but it will now stay throughout the winter after it proved to be a hit with more than 1,000 residents, workers and visitors.

It was created on the site of the planned Green Building, which was put on hold because of the recession.

Igloo Regeneration, which owns the plot, is now planning to transform the idyllic summer scene into an autumn and winter wonderland, with special activities planned for Bonfire Night and Christmas.


THE MANSION

The Mansion at Roundhay Park was restored to its former splendour following a multi-million-pound refurbishment spanning several years.
The Grade II listed building is almost 200- years-old but was in a serious state of disrepair six years ago, leading to fears over its future.

But Leeds City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund stepped in - and The Mansion re-opened to the public back in August.

The council's refurbishment programme to the fabric of The Mansion was completed in 2007, with financial help from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

In January 2009, venue managers Dine began work to restore the
building's interior. Restored features include the magnificent sweeping
staircase with original stone steps.

PUDSEY GRANGEFIELD SCHOOL

Another of the shortlisted sites is Pudsey Grangefield School, which opened in September 2008 to high praise from students, staff and the local community.

The state-of-the art school, built as part of the Leeds Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, was highly commended in the Inspiring Design category at the BCSE Awards in June.

The school, which combines a range of learning spaces with ICT equipment, is loosely faculty-based with open learning areas, "break-out" spaces and show-and-tell rooms for informal briefings, discussions and presentations.

The building has a minimal amount of corridors to ensure it is as open and welcoming as possible, while the central 'street' and general teaching areas are linked by a three-floor hub of ICT facilities, library and resources.

Another BSF School, Swallow Hill Community College - the new secondary school for Armley and Wortley – opened to pupils last month.