Karl Singporewala, a student from Brighton University who has worked part-time at Cowan Architects since 2003, has won this year's Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South East Student Award to develop his research into a sustainable replacment for the Thames Barrier.

The £800 award, administered by the RIBA South East in conjunction with the Lovell Memorial Trust, is presented annually to a student on a validated RIBA course of architecture who studies or lives in the RIBA South East area. The first part of the award will be presented to Karl at a formal presentation on the 7th February at Brighton University.

The images to the left show some of Karl's ongoing research.