With August behind us, let’s take a look at the top 10 stories covered throughout the month. Click on the title to read the full story, and let us know which ones were your favourites – or what else we should have covered.

1. Is this magic ‘liquid battery’ the future of electric cars? 

architecture and design

Researchers from the University of Glasgow have developed a new battery that will allow an electric car to charge in seconds. Described as a flow battery system, it revolutionises energy storage, using a nanoscale battery molecule to store electric power or hydrogen gas, and release it on demand as fuel.

2. Australia’s skinniest house: A unique response to a small site

architecture and design

Possibly Australia’s skinniest house, Two Pavilion House was developed in response to a difficult site.  With a 5.5 metre wide, west-facing street frontage that overlooked a railway line, the design for this house required a careful approach.

3. Australian Institute of Architects sacks CEO: a case of revenge of the Big Firms?

architecture

The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) has sacked chief executive Jennifer Cunich, replacing her in the interim by AIA president Clare Cousins.

4. South Melbourne Primary School: The school with no classrooms

architecture

Victoria’s first vertical state school welcomed students earlier this year. While there are numerous other vertical schools in the works for Victoria, what makes this school unique is the fact that it has no actual classrooms – the one feature that we typically use to define a school.

5. Courtyard home breaks the mould in a suburban estate

architecture

This project is a clever courtyard home designed for young clients in a new suburban estate in South East Queensland. The clients were looking for an open courtyard-style home to occupy their medium-sized block, which is closely bordered by the estate’s project-style-homes.

6. Eco retreat inspired by the beauty of Tasmania's Coles Bay

architecture

Nine pavilions in Freycinet National Park have been tailored to celebrate the scenic qualities of their unique setting.

7. "Oppressive and claustrophobic" 1970s house transformed

architecture

This 1970s Gold Coast house has been transformed from drab and dated to a comfortable contemporary family home. 

8. “Bold sculptural piece” sits proudly in suburban Melbourne

architecture

This home sits proudly within a characteristically diverse heritage precinct. Informed by our clients’ love of stark materiality and clean aesthetics, the home unexpectedly provides a warm and joyful environment. 

9. SJB’s new parental leave policy sets industry standard

architecture

Sydney architecture firm SJB Architects announces a new parental leave policy for their employees based on shared care, flexible working hours, financial support and allowances.

10. Lendlease launches affordable, sustainable display home

architecture

A sustainable display home built by Access Employment Services (AES) has opened at Yarrabilba in South East Queensland. Lendlease engaged AES to undertake the build as an opportunity to upskill the area’s long-term unemployed and disadvantaged groups.