Sixty-eight projects are vying for one of this year’s RIBA London Awards according to the institute’s just-released shortlist, which pits starchitects against much smaller firms.

RIBA’s regional awards are the first step on the ladder towards a Stirling Prize nomination. The latest shortlist includes 50-storey Principal Tower in Shoreditch by three-time Stirling Prize winner Foster & Partners and the Brickfields workspace in nearby Hoxton by 2013 winners Witherford Watson Mann.

Eight practices have more than one entry on the shortlist, but 2015 Stirling Prize winner Allford Hall Monaghan Morris has the most, with four. Founding partner Simon Allford is current RIBA president, however RIBA presidents traditionally step away from the day-to-day running of their practices during their two year terms.

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