Among the new builds and extension projects are a house-cum-gallery in Brighton, designed by Sanei Hopkins Architects, and a beach house by Rodic Davidson Architects in Britain’s only desert, Dungeness.
Another contender is the concrete, cubed home that architects Deborah Saunt and David Hills of practice DSDHA designed for themselves.
Finalists for the award will be revealed in a special series of UK television show Grand Designs in the autumn.
Last year’s winning architect Charlotte Skene Catling joins Jonathan Dallas of studio Dallas Pierce Quinetro, comedian Jenny Eclair and Philip Thorn from sponsor Hiscox on the judging panel.