A London health centre, a Danish museum, a winery in Spain and a big part of Liverpool city centre are among the six shortlisted designs for Britain’s top architectural award, unveiled on Thursday.

In past years, the Stirling Prize, awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects , has gone to grandiose buildings such as the Scottish Parliament and 30 St Mary Axe in London, better known as the Gherkin. But smaller schemes are now in vogue as recession halts large-scale developments.