Thomas Rau

About Thomas Rau

Guided by the Future

Thomas Rau is an entrepreneur, architect, and visionary known for his innovative contributions towards creating a circular economy. In 2021, he was honoured with the Dutch Circular Hero Award in recognition of his pioneering efforts in this field. More recently, in 2024, he received the prestigious German Sustainability Award (construction category) alongside Madaster Germany.

Rau operates by the motto “guided by the future,” striving to address tomorrow’s challenges with foresight and creativity. His work is driven by the needs of the future, rather than what is currently possible. Through his enthusiasm, energy, and sense of humour, he inspires both audiences and clients, urging them to embrace radical solutions to foster sustainability.

The one-dimensional foundation of our linear economy has provided us with much, but it now threatens to undermine the very foundations it has built. As we become increasingly dependent on the resources of our closed system, we are jeopardizing the availability of those very resources. Rau stresses the urgent need to transform the way we organise our economies. We must reconsider our place on the planet and recalibrate the relationship between humanity and the Earth. Exactly what that relationship will look like is something we will have to work out together over the coming years – Thomas Rau is full of practical ideas to help make the transition.

He doesn’t just talk the talk – he walks the walk. Through his architecture firm, RAU, he has introduced numerous innovations, including the development of the first standards for carbon- and energy-neutral buildings. The firm is now a leading authority on energy-positive structures and circular architecture, currently designing the Dutch pavilion for the World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

With Turntoo, Thomas Rau established some of the earliest examples of circular economy concepts and business models. One of his groundbreaking innovations is the ‘pay per lux’ concept, where lighting is no longer sold as a product but offered as a service. In collaboration with a white goods manufacturer and a housing association, he provides the most energy-efficient washing machines and refrigerators to social housing tenants on a performance-based model.

Thomas is renowned for his stimulating and highly original thinking. This, combined with his sharp humour and confrontational style of questioning, makes him a welcome guest at meetings designed to broaden perspectives and spiritual horizons. Those who invite him understand that the discussion will not be comfortable nor compliant.

An internationally acclaimed speaker, Thomas delivers keynote speeches at major conferences and engages with smaller, more intimate audiences of board members, policymakers, and politicians. His insights inspire and motivate people all around the world, across a broad spectrum of industries, through his international publications, lectures, TV and radio interviews, and podcasts.

In addition to numerous architectural awards, Thomas was honoured with the Circular Hero Award in 2021 for his tireless work in promoting a circular economy. This was followed by the ULI Germany Leadership Award for Urban Innovation in 2022. In 2024, alongside Madaster Germany, he was awarded the Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis (German Sustainability Award, construction category).