©Daniel Koebe
Visionary Architect | Systemic Change
Thomas Rau
Thomas Rau is a renowned (international) speaker, entrepreneur, architect, innovator, inspirator, and visionary. His motto is ‘guided by the future’.
Region:
Europe
Languages:
Employability:
Keynote Speaker,Motivational Speaker
Employability:
Keynote Speaker,Motivational Speaker,
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).
Specialist Subjects
Videos
D.J. Eppink
Fred van Eenennaam has worked with me during his years at the Faculty of economics and business administration of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Fred was also one of my doctoral students. I was extremely sorry to see him leave our department and move to Nyenrode Business University, where he has been so successful in developing new initiatives.
Fred is a very good researcher, who has the talent to identify theoretically interesting research questions that also appeal to managers in practice. His doctoral dissertation on marketing standardisation is a very good example of this. The research question is of great practical relevance and he approached it with the best available research methods. He also was able to persuade 137 managers in large European companies to fill in a detailed questionnaire.
Students at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam gave Fred’s lectures very high scores in the bi-annual evaluation of teachers. He has the talent to make them interested in matters that may not be on their plate for some time to come. Fred has an extensive experience as a consultant and this was of great importance in convincing the students that the theory he taught in the classroom, would also be important for their future career.
I attended several of Fred’s presentations for business audiences. These always had a clear structure, were always up-to-date from a theoretical point of view as well as from a point of view of what is happening in business, and delivered with great enthusiasm. His practical examples underscore the points he wants to make. His experience in many national and international settings give the audience the feeling that they are addressed by someone who knows the worlds of theory and business intimately. This is a rare combination.
References
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