The Culturlann on Great James street is one of six buildings from across Britain to make it onto the RIBA Sterling shortlist.
Designed by O’Donnell and Tuomey Architects from Dublin, it opened in 2009.
Marketing manager Anne-Marie Gallagher says the design has been essential to the success of the property.
“We’ve had 42,00 visitors come through our doors,” she said. “It’s such a welcome, open and practical space. We also get a lot of architectural tourists.”
The publicly funded building cost £4m to design and build – the next cheapest competitor on the short-list cost a cool £37.5m.
The winner will be announced in October with the architect scooping a prize of £20,000.
© UTV News