WCXX

^{The interior of the Bishop Edward King Chapel by Niall McLaughlin Architects, Oxfordshire (Riba)}

A series of high, thin windows flood the chapel with light, giving it a "lyrical grace", according to the judges.

Bookmaker William has made Niall McLaughlin's design the favourite to win the prestigious prize.

The shortlist also features a £12 million 84-unit housing block in Newhall Be, Harlow, Essex, all with roof terraces and full-height windows. The judges said it "raises the bar for suburban housing developments".

^{Newhall Be by Alison Brooks Architects, Essex (Paul Riddle/Riba)}

The two others are the University of Limerick, Ireland, the Giant's Causeway visitor centre in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Anglea Brady, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said the two housing projects shortlisted "shine on a light" on UK's current housing "blight".

"The Riba Stirling Prize is awarded to the building that has made the biggest contribution to the evolution of architecture, and nowhere is the need for fresh-thinking needed more than in housing", she said.

"The UK is blighted with unimaginative, poor quality houses that people don't want to live in but have little other choice, so I am delighted to see two amazing and highly original housing projects on this year's shortlist.

^{The Giant's Causeway visitor's centre by Heneghan Peng architects, Northern Ireland (Marie-Louise Halpenny/Riba)}

"These projects show how when talented architects and clients work together and focus on quality, affordable and desirable new homes can be created. They shine a light on what the future of UK housing can be.

"All six shortlisted projects are ground-breaking in their own way - buildings that deliver more than could ever have been expected.

"Some of them, such as Park Hill and the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre, are genuinely courageous in laying out a new visionary approach.

"This RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist is sending out the clear message that creative vision improves our lives."

^{The University of Limerick by Grafton Architects (Riba)}

Previous winners include the Sainsbury Laboratory in Cambridge, designed by the British architects Stanton Williams in 2012, and Maggie's Centre at Charing Cross Hospital, London, in 2009.

The winner is to be announced at Central Saint Martins in King's Cross, central London, on September 26.