The Royal Institute of British Architects announced the shortlist for this year’s Stirling Prize today. All six of the projects that made the cut are by designers previously in the running for the prize. Two contenders—David Chipperfield Architects and Zaha Hadid Architects—have won for other work in past years.

The shortlist is below. Click the images for more info...

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O'Donnell and Tuomey, An Gaelaras

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Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, The Angel Building

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Zaha Hadid Architects, Evelyn Grace Academy

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David Chipperfield Architects, Folkwang Museum

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Bennetts Associates, Royal Shakespeare Theater

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Hopkins Architects,
Olympic Velodrome

Building Design
reports that Hopkins Architects’ Olympic Velodrome, the first project for the 2012 games to be completed, is favored to win [login required]: Hopkins' 2012 Velodrome Tipped to Win 2011 RIBA Stirling Prize

And over at the Guardian, Robert Booth says that the list, which includes the first two renovation projects ever in contention for the prize, reflects tough economic times: Stirling Prize Shortlist Reflects New Austerity in Architecture