RAFAA is a studio for architecture and design in Zurich, Switzerland. The studio critically analyses the contemporary architectural discourse and combines the insights gained with creative inventions, new technologies and design by research. The collaboration with different artists such as photographers, composers or curators is a further key element. The studio was founded by Rafael Schmidt in 2008.
BIOGRAPHY Rafael Georg Schmidt Rafael Schmidt studied architecture at the University of Applied Sciences Frankfurt and achieved a master’s degree in architecture at the ETH Zurich, department of Computer Aided Architectural Design (CAAD) under the chair of Prof. Ludger Hovestadt. Since 2001, he has been working with different international architects such as Zaha Hadid Architects and Foster & Partners. In 2008, he founded RAFAA, an award winning studio for architecture and design based in Zurich. His art installation J `adore aglisia was shown at the 6th Berliner Kunstsalon. Rafael Schmidt was a guest critic at the University of Kassel and the AA School in London. He is currently teaching at the professorship for architecture and urban design under the chair of Prof. Marc Angélil at the ETH Zurich and was editor in chief of the publication Cities of Change, Addis Ababa (2009, Birkhäuser Verlag). In 2010 he was awarded with two Red Dot Design Awards and the Green Good Design Award 2012.
CURRICILUM VITAE 1996 - 2001 University of Applied Sciences Frankfurt Diploma in Architecture, Prof. Niklaus Kränzle 2000 Internship at Randall Stout Architects , LA. 2001 Avery Associates Architects, London 2002 - 2003 Zaha Hadid Architects, London 2004 Foster and Partners, London 2005 - 2006 ETH Zurich, Chair of CAAD Prof. Ludger Hovestadt MAS ETH in Architecture 2006 - 2007 Isa Stürm Urs Wolf Architekten, Zurich Projectleader, Kunst(Zeug)Haus 2008 Rafaa, Studio in Zurich Scientific Assistant ETH Zurich, Prof. Marc Angélil

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