A crematorium, a school, a building society headquarters and part of a business complex on a country house estate have all been nominated for a prestigious architectural award.

Scholemoor Crematorium, Bradford, Pudsey Waterloo Primary School, the Ecology Building Society headquarters in Silsden, and a pavilion-style meeting room called Utopia at Broughton Hall in Skipton, have been shortlisted to receive a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) White Rose Award.

The prize aims to highlight the work of architects and their teams and to demonstrate the importance of good quality architecture and urban design in contemporary society.

The new floral tribute area at Scholemoor crematorium has been shortlisted.

Improvement work was carried out at the crematorium by Bradford Council's Architectural Service and a floral tribute area was built so people can view the wreaths and tributes left.

Bradford Council's executive member for environment and culture, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said: "The work that was carried out at Scholemoor Crematorium has greatly improved the facilities here and it is great news that this area has been shortlisted for such a prestigious award."

Hannah Bell, business park manager at Broughton Hall, said: "It is a fantastic thing to be nominated.

"We are pretty surprised and it's wonderful that the building is being recognised for how great it really is.

"The main thing I like about the building is that it does what it was meant for and people love coming into it."

There have been a record number of entries to the scheme which celebrates the best buildings and public spaces in the region this year.

David Smith, chairman of RIBA Yorkshire, said: "These awards help demonstrate that architecture is integral to the economy and regeneration of the region.

"Good building design has a positive role to play in the spaces we all inhabit, whether this is at work, at home or in the public realm."

The awards jury will be visiting the 13 shortlisted schemes before deciding the winner.

The other shortlisted buildings are: Moss Street Housing in York; Sheffield City Hall; the Arc in Hull; The Humanities Research Institute at the University of Sheffield; Crown Street Buildings in Leeds; the Little London Children's Centre, Leeds; Water's Edge Country Park Visitors Centre, Barton upon Humber; Wellfield Extension in Huddersfield; Gibson Mill in Hebden Bridge; and The Gold Route in Sheffield.

Winners will be announced at the annual RIBA Yorkshire Awards ceremony on November 16.

This year the black tie dinner will be held at Leeds Town Hall and will be hosted by the poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan.

e-mail: saima.mir@bradford.newsquest.co.uk