A JUDGE was so impressed with a contestant’s entry that he offered her a job on the spot.

Louise Fisher, studying Architecture RIBA Part II at the University of Brighton, was named winner of the Diploma Prize for her “parliament” design for a building in Ashdown Forest, by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

RIBA judge Corin Morton immediately offered Louise a job at his practice – CDMS Architects, in Montpelier Road, Brighton – and Louise accepted.

Louise, 23, received her certificate and £200 prize from Paul Zara, chair of RIBA Sussex, which represents 800 architects across East and West Sussex.

Her project, The Commoners Hearth building, would bring together everyone who has a specific “right of common” over the registered common land of the Forest.

The rights of common are attached to land, rather than to people or to houses: those who live in the 730 or so properties on the common land are known as commoners.

She said: “After researching how man has manipulated a landscape over thousands of years, it became clear that there is nothing natural about Ashdown Forest.

“The demography of people who live in Ashdown Forest has changed, from those who lived off the land to people who live there as a luxury.

“Consequently the land is suffering as commoners less frequently take up their rights to pasture animals and to remove timber and bracken.

“The aim was to educate the commoners on the impact they could have on the land. A parliament would give them a presence in the Forest, so their voices could be heard.”

A second degree prize went to Mario Alcantara Monteiro, studying BA(Hons) Architecture at the University of Brighton.

Mario’s project focused on a pavilion in Madeira Drive, Brighton, to showcase the maintenance of Volk’s Railway, the world’s oldest functioning electric railway.

Mario envisaged the pavilion as a public space and transport hub to bring life to the area.

The RIBA judges praised its strong bold graphic style.

RIBA is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally, founded for the advancement of architecture under its charter granted in 1837 and Supplemental Charter granted in 1971.

Originally named the Institute of British Architects in London, it was formed by several prominent architects.

After the grant of the royal charter it had become known as the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, eventually dropping the reference to London in 1892.

Its president is Jane Duncan.