Joseph Rowntree School’s new home is one of three architectural projects in York and Selby to be shortlisted for a regional prize.

The 2010 Royal Institute Of British Architecture Yorkshire White Rose Awards feature seven categories, including awards for conservation, sustainability, interior design and landscaping.

Joseph Rowntree School’s new £29 million building, which was officially opened in May, is made up of six pavilion buildings surrounding a central internal focal point.

Designed by Bond Bryan Architects, of Sheffield, the school has already picked up a handful of accolades, including the Most Versatile Learning Environment prize at the Excellence in Building Schools For The Future awards.

Meanwhile, the University of York’s new building for the Humanities Research Centre and Institute for Effective Education has also been shortlisted in the Yorkshire White Rose Awards.

The £7.2 million Berrick Saul Building, designed by the Building Design Partnership, also of Sheffield, provides high-quality workspace for arts and humanities postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.

Also in the final is York-based Purcell Miller Tritton LLP’s conservation project to repair and conserve the existing masonry of Selby Abbey, while retaining as much of the original detail as possible.

Emma England, regional director of RIBA Yorkshire, said: “The presence of a number of schemes which have been short-listed for the sustainability award shows the creative approach that architects are taking to the challenges of producing low carbon buildings.

“This is an indication that sustainable architecture is starting to become the norm rather than the exception in high-quality schemes.”

Each shortlisted project will now be visited by an expert panel and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Sheffield City Hall in November.