A landmark library has been nominated for a Number 10 accolade.

Brighton's Jubilee Library is one of 15 finalists in line for the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award.

Now in its fifth year, the annual architecture award recognises excellence in design quality and funding methods of public building schemes.

The library, built by the London architects The Mill Group and Brighton-based Lomax Cassidy and Edwards, is one of the UK's most environmentally-friendly buildings.

It is filled with gadgets and materials to make it as energy-efficient as possible, including intelligent walls, which trap hot and cold air and release it when necessary, and toilets that are flushed with rainwater.

Artificial lights automatically switch on and off with the flow of natural light, while carbon emissions are only 50 per cent of those for a conventional building.

Open spaces inside the building and a cavernous concrete middle floor were designed to echo the grandeur of a cathedral, while wooden panelling soaks up sound.

Its upper floor sits on a series of grand columns and the building's front wall of glass gives upstairs visitors an unusual perspective of the city.

The award scheme is part of the Better Public Building Initiative launched by the Prime Minister in October 2000.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 13.