Collective on Calton Hill, the Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience, Mackintosh at the Willow and the V&A Dundee join the winners from a 54-strong list of projects.

The RIBA National Awards are given to buildings across the UK recognised as significant contributions to architecture. This year’s winners were selected from the RIBA Regional Award winners determined earlier this year.

Designed by Collective Architecture for itself and the City of Edinburgh Council, the Collective on Calton Hill project was moved from Malcolm Fraser Architects during 2015.

Judges said the project is the result of a “strong and highly successful collaboration between the two client bodies and the design team”.

They added: “A shared vision from the outset of the project has driven the design from inception to completion producing a number of bold, contemporary interventions which successfully achieve a unifying functional coherence with the sensitively restored historic buildings on this site of national significance.

“The projecting glazed corner of the new Outlook restaurant building, cantilevered over the site’s original boundary wall brings a bold and vibrant addition to the site’s historic skyline, visually marking to those in the city below a key step in the evolution of this important site.”

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners delivered the Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience in Moray.

Judges noted: “The rolling roofscape of this building echoes the form of the surrounding hills and serves to successfully conceal an exceptionally well resolved and ingenious fusion of architecture, whiskey technology and impactful interior settings displaying the heritage of the Macallan brand.

“A processional landscaped walkway symbolically and physically connects the 18th century laird’s house at the heart of the estate with the new visitor centre. The internal journey continues under a warmly lit majestic double curvature timber gridshell roof. The combination of atmospheric lighting with the architectural form and the intriguing arrangement of stills and exhibits creates a sense of drama throughout this hugely impressive building. Views through the extensive fully glazed section of the main elevation framed between the floor and the curving eaves provide a constant link between the new building and the enchanting scenery of the Spey river, the source of water that brought the distillery to the site.”

Mackintosh at the Willow in Glasgow was designed by Simpson & Brown for Willow Tea Rooms Trust.

Judges said: “This remarkable combined restoration and new building project is testament both to the passion and dedication of the client and to the intensive efforts of the architects in relation to the level of detail of the research which facilitated the truly excellent quality of restoration achieved.

“The original building is a much-admired and rare example of a complete Art Nouveau scheme. Its immaculate and captivating restoration has provided an invaluable reminder of the immense creativity of Mackintosh and has already attracted significant international interest.

“The adjoining building was purchased by the client and is now a well-mannered and sensitively integrated contemporary addition which provides the additional space required to accommodate the extensive support facilities, including a shop and exhibition and education areas, required for this world class visitor experience.”

The £80.1 million V&A Dundee was designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates with PiM.studio Architects and James F Stephen Architects.

RIBA stated: “Scotland’s first dedicated design museum is itself an example of the highest level of architectural ingenuity. This building simultaneously stimulates, engages and intrigues visitors.

“Its unique geometric forms, sitting between the city and the river, draw on a relationship to the water and form an unstated connection to the historical HMS Discovery docked alongside.

“On approach the building engenders an exciting sense of anticipation as the complex geometry seamlessly reveals the intriguing interior opening out into the voluminous main entrance hall, intended by client and architects to act as a ‘living room for the city’.

“The first floor contains a consummately detailed restaurant area with dramatic views over HMS Discovery.

“The primary areas of this floor provide high quality flexible exhibition spaces housing inspiring examples of both the rich heritage of design creativity in Scotland and the work of contemporary Scottish designers, in the supportive setting of this equally inspiring building.”

These projects will now go forward to compete for a place on the Stirling Prize shortlist.