RAU

Total Projects from RAU: 17

The RAU architectural team, based in Amsterdam, adopts a particular attitude, defined by the term oneplanetarchitecture: RAU designs buildings with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Since 1992, the practice has been working for the public and private sectors, maintaining an approach that is conscious of planet earth and uses integral methodology. RAU is actively involved in the current international discussion on sustainability and in developing energy-saving technology and concepts for energy-producing buildings. In a world where so much nature is threatened by human activity, RAU considers it its mission to make a positive contribution through its presence and its work.

Designs by RAU are characterised by a proficient level of sustainability. Some even set new standards, like the head office of the WWF Netherlands. This former agricultural laboratory was transformed into a CO2-neutral and (almost entirely) self-sufficent office building. Provisional calculations for Le Carré de Soie, a CO2 neutral and energy surplus-producing mixed-use office complex in Lyon (to be completed in 2011) show promising results: LEED Platinum, BREEAM excellent, EPBD A++ and German Passivhaus status.

Thomas Rau

Thomas Rau studied fine arts and dance at the Alanus University of Arts in Bonn and architecture at RWTH Aachen University. He has been working as an architect in Amsterdam since 1990. He established RAU in 1992.

Social and environmental commitment are at the heart of Thomas Rau’s approach to architecture. Driven by a self-perception based on mutual respect, Thomas Rau closely involves his clients in the design of their project. Equally, respect for nature, the built environment and the cultural context are important factors considered in the planning of his projects.

Thomas Rau regards ‘state of the art’ to be merely the starting point for his projects. Consequently, he initiated the development of the world’s first energy-generating revolving door, which RAU has developed in co-operation with Boon Edam. The head office of the Dutch branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is CO2-neutral and (almost entirely) self-sustaining. The body warmth of the people who work in the building is captured and re-used for heating, birds can breed in nesting boxes in the façade and bats can use the basement as an extension of their natural habitat.

The practice goes one step further with its latest project, Le Carré de Soie in Lyon. This mixed-use office complex is not only CO2-neutral and self-sustaining, but does produce more energy than it needs for its own operation. The surplus of energy is fed into the public grid. Similarly, Christiaan Huygens College in Eindhoven will be the first CO2-neutral and energy-producing school in the Netherlands, with estimated annual savings in energy costs of approximately € 130.000.

Thomas Rau is ranked among the Top 100 Dutch key players in sustainability, a list published by national newspaper Trouw and broadcasting corporation LLiNK. He is placed at number one in the ‘Green Building’ category of the Dutch ‘Green.200’ ranking by Green.2 magazine.

website: rau.eu

Featured Projects

	Child Centre De Es Address: Tuinstraat 1 , ASSEN - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Education



	Christiaan Huygens College Address: Botenlaan 38 , EINDHOVEN - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Education



	CSB expansion Address: De Cuserstraat 3 , AMSTERDAM - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Office



	De Woonplaats Address: Wethouder Beversstraat 175 , ENSCHEDE - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Office



	Dimence Eerdelaan Address: Eerdelaan 43-45 , ZWOLLE - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Healthcare Architecture



	Emelwerda College Address: Peppellaan 1 , EMMELOORD - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Education



	Leon van Gelderschool Address: Diamantlaan 27 , GRONINGEN - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Education



	Medical Faculty University of Groningen Address: Antonius Deusinglaan 1 , GRONINGEN - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Education



	Middelburg City Hall Address: Kanaalweg 3 , MIDDELBURG - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Public



	Nursing Home Zonnehuis Address: Nijenhuislaan 175 , ZWOLLE - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Healthcare Architecture



	Piter Jelles Ynsicht Address: Prinsessenweg 4 , LEEUWARDEN - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Education



	Roc Aventus Address: Stationsplein 20 , ZUTPHEN - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Education



	Schouwen-Duiveland City Hall Address: Laan van Sint Hilaire 2 , ZIERIKZEE - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Public



	Triodos Bank International Address: Nieuweroordweg , ZEIST - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Office



	Triodos Bank Netherlands Address: Utrechtseweg 44A , ZEIST - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Office



	WWF Head Office Address: Driebergseweg 10C , ZEIST - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Office



	Zutphen City Hall Address: 's-Gravenhof 2 , ZUTPHEN - Netherlands Architect: RAU Category: Public