Shortlist named for Lancashire tourist attraction contest

RIBA has announced the shortlist to design a new visitor attraction at the Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Nature Reserve in Preston, Lancashire.

The five architectural firms through to the final round are:

• McDowell + Benedetti
• Architecture 2B
• AY Architects
• Adam Khan Architects
• And Manchester's Arca

The brief includes a café, shop, gallery and meeting rooms in a project funded by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, the North West Development Agency and the Forestry Commission.

The winning design will become part of the £59m Newlands land regeneration scheme, said to be the country's largest environmental programme of its kind.

The five will present to the competition jury on Thursday 1 November.