THURSDAY, July 31: Shortlisted entries for the hotly contested RIBA Town & Country Design Awards were announced today by the Head of RIBA South West Jon Watkins.

THURSDAY, July 31: Shortlisted entries for the hotly contested RIBA Town & Country Design Awards were announced today by the Head of RIBA South West Jon Watkins. Seven of the 14 shortlisted projects are in Devon - including Clinton Devon Estates' new head office.

The awards, which are given in recognition of architectural excellence in the context of the south west region, have proved very popular and 2008 has seen a record number of entries.

The seven projects in Devon are: Battery Hill (private house), Salcombe; Cleave Hill (private house), East Devon; John Kitto Community College, Plymouth; Stover School Science Block; Cricklepit Mill, Exeter; Exwick Heights Primary School, Exeter, and Rolle Estate Office, East Budleigh.

Battery Hill is a private house by RIBA architect Stan Bolt, of Brixham. The clean, contemporary building sits on a dramatic site overlooking Salcombe harbour, and is a building that will function efficiently, age gracefully and engage sympathetically and fully with its environment.

Cleave Hill, on the edge of Dartmoor, is a fascinating private house that is set within the sloping site. RIBA architects Van der Steen Hall Architects of Chagford's design used granite reclaimed from an abandoned quarry and oak felled and seasoned on the property.

The John Kitto Community College at Plymouth, by RIBA architects Acanthus Ferguson Mann of Bristol, is a contemporary new building providing six classrooms, community education facilities, offices and meeting rooms.

Stover School Science Building by RIBA architects Architecton of Bristol uses brick, zinc and glass on its exterior surfaces, and has upgraded science facilities for girls at the school, creating four new laboratories, and four maths classrooms.

Devon Wildlife Trust are based at the Grade II listed Cricklepit Mill in Exeter, with the conversion and extension carried out by RIBA architects Gillespie Yunnie of Dartington. The contemporary timber-clad box which runs alongside the original mill houses the main office accommodation of the Trust.

Exwick Heights Primary School, Exeter, by RIBA architects NPS South West Ltd of Exeter merges two exiting schools into one sustainable building that uses timber in its structure and finishes, and incorporates environmentally friendly systems to limit its carbon footprint.

Rolle Estate Office at East Budleigh by Exeter-based RIBA architects Lacey Hickie Caley is within the Grade One listed parkland of the estate. The striking modern design appears to emerge out of the surrounding landscape, and the building is truly of 'green construction'.

Talking after the shortlist was announced, Jon Watkins sai: "The enduring popularity of these awards is proof positive that the South West is a region with a proud affiliation to high quality public and private design. The diversity demonstrated in the shortlist is quite incredible".

Winners of RIBA Town & Country Design Awards will be informed at an evening of celebration on September 25 at the University of Exeter, where past president of the RIBA George Ferguson will play host and local architect Grant Elliott will make a presentation on his work in helping to rebuild Kabul with the Turquoise Mountain charity.

The Royal Institute of British Architects have a long tradition of leading public awareness of excellent design and a commitment to sustainable architecture is reflected in its awards programme, with all entries requiring a description of the building's performance in use with particular reference to energy use.