The National Maritime Museum Cornwall, is among the most remarkable and innovative buildings in the world battling it out to be crowned the RICS Building of the Year after being shortlisted in the prestigious RICS Awards 2004.

A total of 41 schemes representing the best of the built environment from around the world have been selected from over 160 entries. Four of the shortlisted buildings are from the South West including the Falmouth museum.

Past winners include the Eden Project.

As part of the judging process, a panel of RICS experts will visit each shortlisted project from now until the end of February.

Matthew McKaig, RICS regional director in the South West, said: "The response has been overwhelming this year. According to the judging panel the entries highlight the exceptional standards of work being done today to enhance and preserve the global built and natural environments."

The entries will be judged across four categories - Building Conservation, Regeneration, Sustainability and Community Benefit.