ABSTRACT
RAU Architects was formed in the early 1990s with a remit to deliver buildings creating the smallest possible ecological footprint. Issues of energy consumption and material sources have particularly interested the practice. A ‘material passport’ will document all the materials used in a building, noting their exact specification, including level of toxicity, location in the building, function, as well as their ability to be dismantled for reuse or recycling. HQ for Alliander in Duiven and an extension to Brummen Town Hall are the two recent RAU Architects building projects that are worth considering. The extension was designed to use as little material as possible, incorporating a prefabricated and modular supporting structure, with timber used for the floors and facade. This approach helped reduce the initial ecological footprint of the development and allowed for simple dismantling at the end of the building’s life.
