Three out of the six projects on this year's Stirling Prize shortlist are culture, attractions and leisure-related, underlining the sector's reputation for producing innovative architecture.

The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience in Scotland (by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners), The Nevill Holt Opera in Leicestershire (Witherford Watson Mann Architects) and The Weston, Yorkshire Sculpture Park (Feilden Fowles Architects) have all been chosen.

They're joined by Cork House, Goldsmith Street and London Bridge Station, completing the six-strong list.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize, is awarded to the architect of the building thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment.

Criteria include “design vision, innovation and originality, capacity to stimulate engage and delight occupants and visitors, accessibility and sustainability, how fit the building is for its purpose and the level of client satisfaction.”

Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience

The £140m (US$187m, €160m) project, which took three and a half years to build, features an undulating, meadow-covered roof described as “one of the most complicated timber structures in the world”

Comprising 1,800 single beams, 2,500 different roof elements, and 380,000 individual components, almost none of which are equal or the same, the building was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and engineered by Arup.

The Nevill Holt Opera

The purpose-built, 400-seat theatre is hidden within a 17th century stable block on a Grade I-listed estate and replaces 10 years of temporary tent structures for the Neville Holt Opera festival.

The theatre is only fully revealed upon entering the space and has been designed to reflect its historic surroundings using natural materials.

The Weston, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

The £3.8m (US$4.7m, €4.4m) visitor centre is located at one of northern England’s most popular tourist attractions. The outdoor sculpture park houses works by artists such as Henry Moore.

The low-rise building comprises a 140sq m (1,500sq ft) restaurant, a 125sq m (1,340sq ft) gallery space, an 80sq m (860sq ft) public foyer and a 50sq m (538sq ft) shop.

Designed to create a warm, intimate feel, the rooms are smaller scale, with some heated by log burners.

New Tate St Ives in the running for 2018 Stirling Prize

Hastings Pier by dRMM Architects wins 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize

A stirling effort – Haworth Tompkins ‘Everyman Theatre’ bags prestigious Stirling prize