Four and a half Quay Parade, Aberaeron

Designed by David Thomas, Architect, this unusual house extension has been built in a conservation area, behind a formal quayside of Regency stuccoed facades. Constructed from oak, copper, and rubble stone, visually it seems to melt into the walls, sheds and fences that make up the backland of the street. “ Cleverly squeezed into a constrained site, the building seems to peep around and over the neighbouring house in front.”
  

Aberystwyth Arts Centre redevelopment

Designed by Smith Roberts Associates, this new building extends the original 1970s arts centre with wit and energy. Its series of arcs provide a strong contrast to the clear, straight logic of the original building, and its softer shapes engage positively with the surrounding garden area. “Quirky and irreverent, yet beautifully composed, the detailing is complex and well resolved. The new extension has a clear, yet complementary character of its own.
  

RNLI Boathouse extension, Conwy

Designed by Diane Williams, Architect, this extension provides much needed facilities — a training room, shower and changing rooms for the crew and a shop to help raise funds. The materials used — dark pebbledash render and natural slate roof — have been chosen judiciously so that it blends easily with its surroundings.
   “The unobtrusive and restrained design respects and enhances its location.”
  

The Corn Mill, Llangollen

Designed by David A Griffiths Partnership, the Mill dates in part from the early 13th century, but was largely rebuilt in 1630, then had further 19th-century additions. Now skilfully restored and converted into a pub/restaurant, it provides a unique platform for viewing watersports on the river below. “The extension maintains the architectural language of the original structure, yet is clearly contemporary, respecting and continuing the ad hoc way in which the mill has developed over the centuries.”
  

Baglan Energy Park Gateway. Port Talbot

Designed by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, this speculative factory development is an exemplar in terms of energy efficiency. Having consulted experts at the Welsh School of Architecture, the design features unusual towers that house the natural ventilation system and also allow natural light to penetrate the building. Clad in metallic bluish grey panels, the building looks particularly striking when floodlit at night. "Speculative factory developments are not usually known for their design quality. This scheme, however, is elegant and austere and stands as an excellent example of energy efficient design for future developments in this business park.”
  

Offa’s Dyke Visitor Centre, Knighton

Designed by Powys County Council this centre is a useful facility for people walking the Dyke Path and other nearby national walking routes (over 30,000 annually). The carefully chosen materials reflect the way that the Path extends from coast to coast — with slate from the north, stone and oak from rural mid Wales, and steel and concrete from the industrial south. “Logically and simply laid out, the design is clean and crisp in its detailing, and the centre will provide a great boost to local tourism.”
  

Pen-Pych Community School, Rhondda Cynon Taff

Designed by Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, the bright airy classrooms radiate from a central axis and are arranged to allow children to integrate gradually into the school as they learn and develop. The nursery is a separate space with independent access and a protected outdoor area for storytelling and play. “Designed with expertise and care... hopefully government initiatives to encourage better design of schools should result in more buildings of this quality.”
  

Garn Lakes, Torfaen

Designed by Celtic Energy (formerly British Coal Opencast), this new country park lies on 148 acres of reclaimed mining spoil. Thirty thousand trees and shrubs have been planted, along with 100 acres of grassland, and the park includes two lakes, one for fishing and one for conservation. “ The success of this project is demonstrated by the fact that Garn Lakes has become a haven for several bird species that are declining in number, such as the skylark, grey partridge and lapwing.”
  

 Ty Hafan Children's Hospice, Sully, Vale of Glamorgan

Designed by Nigel Arnold, Architect, the new hospice is set against the dramatic backdrop of the Bristol Channel. Its crisp modernist design and generous natural light filling the building give it the atmosphere of a seaside holiday. This was a central requirement of the Ty Hafan Charity. The care bedrooms, many of which are sea-facing with their own external terraces, would not feel out of place in a well-designed seaside hotel. “This hospice provides a real haven for sick children and their families; the judging team found their visit an inspirational experience.”