NICHOLAS RAUSCHER, AIA, NCARB

NICHOLAS RAUSCHER NAMED LICENSED ARCHITECT BY STATE OF MISSOURI

“An eight-year journey and a life-long ambition were realized with this accomplishment.” - Nick Rauscher

JANUARY 2025: Though Nick’s progress to becoming an architect started with his first year of college, his passion for design began much earlier. Thinking back to kindergarten, Nick recalls drawing a wildly imaginative building over the top of lined paper he was supposed to practice writing numbers on. 

“I was just so excited anytime I had paper and a pencil in front of me - I couldn’t focus on the assignment with this wild, impractical idea in my head.” - Nick Rauscher

It was through the patient encouragement of his teachers, enthusiastic support from his parents, and friendly reinforcement of his peers that Nick came to love drawing. 

“It’s the excitement of creating something in your head, and translating it to the paper that keeps me so engaged. Developing that ability to imagine things that don’t exist - to put things together in your head that you can’t yet explain - it makes you feel amazing.” - Nick Rauscher

His love for drawing and imagining continued to develop through grade school. He continued to draw on the back of graded papers, lined sheets in notebooks between pages of math practice, and on copy paper at home when he could get a hold of it.

“My mom had a home office while I was young, and I know I emptied her printer’s paper tray many times over the years stealing away sheets when I was out of graded papers to use the back of. She never complained, but she had to have noticed.” 

- Nick Rauscher

His love of drawing expanded to other subject matter - specifically cars. His affinity for car design continues today. Some of his most recent automotive artwork is featured at nickrauscher.com.

“Cars and buildings are in the same vein - both are inhabited works of art. Their functions take priority to their forms, they require immense coordination, and their design silently influences our lives every day.” - Nick Rauscher

Nick developed his skills in high school and decided to pursue an architecture degree. Drury University proved to be an excellent choice where Nick could step out of his comfort zone. Faculty were excellent advocates, and connections to the industry were readily available. In his study, he gained further respect for the power of architecture. 

“Architecture is one of the most impactful art forms. It’s the physicality that determines our patterns of movement, the environment that gives character to our day, and the detail that gives depth to our memories. It controls and invades our lives whether we’re conscious of it or not. It empowers or impedes us pursuant to the designer’s intention. It deserves an empathetic, observant practitioner.” 

- Nick Rauscher

Nick knew that the road to an Architect’s license would be challenging, but his respect for the duties of the profession drove him through it with purpose. At the completion, Nick knew he would have responsibility to people’s safety.

“The charge of an architect will weigh heavily on my work. It’s my responsibility to care, try, and persist in considering how my work will affect and serve people.” - Nick Rauscher

The achievement brings Nick great joy and excitement. In less than three years since completing a Master of Architecture, Nick has completed over 7,700 hours of experience and completed the required series of six Architectural Registration Exam Divisions. All of this work is alongside his extensive involvement as Associate Director on the AIA St. Louis Board of Directors, Chair of the chapter’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (J.E.D.I.), and as a scholar of the AIA St. Louis Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program 2024-2025 cohort. Nick has no plans to slow down.

“This achievement is a beginning, not an end. It’s time to take a moment, celebrate the completion of this goal, and identify the next one.” - Nick Rauscher

Nick will continue to deliver quality work to clients at M+H Architects in St. Louis, MO. He’s excited to continue adding value and exceeding expectations wherever his talent and expertise is most valuable.

“My portfolio has only just been opened; now it’s time to fill it with beautiful, successful, impactful projects.” 

- Nick Rauscher

NICHOLAS RAUSCHER RE-ELECTED ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR TO AIA ST. LOUIS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DECEMBER 2024: The American Institute of Architects St. Louis Chapter membership elected Nicholas Rauscher to serve a second term on the 2025 Board of Directors. Nick's role will continue to provide him opportunities to determine the chapter's direction. 

"I'm honored to have been elected to serve again with my colleagues on the board. I care deeply for the future of both our profession and region alike. I am excited to get to work both strategizing and executing new initiatives to make membership in AIA St. Louis both a strong value and a meaningful honor."

-Nick Rauscher

The Associate Director position on the board is reserved for those without an architect's license. Nick is working hard to complete the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) Series alongside the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) hours requirements to become a Registered Architect.  

"I am diligently working toward earning my license, but I know that this is a process. The ability to pass exams and accumulate hours does not indicate someone is a "good architect". It's the experience - the knowledge of the detail, ability to manage and work in teams, the surrounding knowledge of how to react when things don't go as planned. Gaining those things are equally important to me as the licensure requirements."

-Nick Rauscher, 2023

Nick was first installed to this position as Associate Director in December, 2023. His second term will extend his tenure to December 2025.

NICHOLAS RAUSCHER NAMED JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (J.E.D.I.) CHAIR, AIA ST. LOUIS

DECEMBER 2024: The American Institute of Architects St. Louis Chapter named Nicholas Rauscher to serve as Chair of its Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Committee for the 2025 calendar year.

"The opportunity to advocate for and advance equality for diverse people in the workplace is very important to me at both professional and personal levels. As our world struggles to determine the proper methods of addressing this topic, it's a priority that our chapter continue this committee's work as a service and resource to our membership."

-Nick Rauscher

Nick has been a part of the AIA St. Louis J.E.D.I. Committee since 2022. In 2023 he imagined and organized the "All Gender Restroom Design Panel Discussion" event, and led the planning of the committee's events in 2024. Now, as chair, Nick will implement a new vision for the committee's future direction.

"This year we will try things we've never tried before and combine our efforts with new stakeholders. We've set goals to make our events broader reaching while covering broader topics through "linked experiences" with varied material included in each event. We're optimistic that 2025 will be a year of stronger involvement with our membership and exciting opportunities for education and advocacy."

-Nick Rauscher

Nick's term as Chair begins this month in December, 2024 and will extend to December, 2025.

NICHOLAS RAUSCHER, AIA ST. LOUIS CHRISTOPHER KELLEY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SCHOLAR

SEPTEMBER 2024: Through a competitive selection process, Nick has been accepted as a member of the AIA St. Louis Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program 2024-2025 Cohort.

"I know this is an excellent opportunity to hone my leadership abilities, connect with industry peers, and learn about the profession in my region and beyond."

-Nick Rauscher

The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program is a national AIA curriculum offered by chapters and components across the country. Each program follows the same objective: to prepare future leaders of the profession.

"The curriculum focuses on core professional skills such as entrepreneurship and firm management; negotiating skills; client development; community leadership; understanding trends within the industry; and developing your future within the practice."

-AIA St. Louis

Just over two years into his professional career, Nick is excited to have been selected for this opportunity. Previous cohorts of this AIA St. Louis program have included respected leaders across the region as well as AIA St. Louis board members and the current chapter president.

Nick expects to graduate from this program in May 2025.

NICHOLAS RAUSCHER, CERTIFIED USA SWIMMING COACH

JULY 2024: After successful completion of the USA Swimming Coach's Training Course in February, Nick is certified to instruct swimmers competing in USA Swimming competitions.

"I'm happy to have the opportunity to coach our swimmers at competition. They spend so much time and work so hard to accomplish great things at these meets - to be able to be there to see their excitement is an irreplaceable feeling."

-Nick Rauscher

Life Time encourages swim coaches to complete these certifications to provide quality instruction to young swimmers.

"Life Time's support of me through this process was excellent. The skillsets and experience this credential stands for are very important for effective coaches everywhere to have."

-Nick Rauscher

Nick's passion for swimming has continued from a young age. Starting around age 7, Nick was a competitive distance Freestyle swimmer through age 18. Now, he shares his years of expertise with youth swimmers at Life Time in St. Louis County.

NICHOLAS RAUSCHER, LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE

MAY 2024: After successful completion of the USGBC LEED Green Associate Exam, Nicholas has earned a new credential.

"I am proud to place these new letters behind my name to indicate my commitment to sustainability, health, and wellness in design."

-Nick Rauscher

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) credentials present opportunities for professionals to explore and learn about sustainable methods to create healthy environments. The LEED rating system is widely chosen as an effective method to ensure environmentally-responsible construction.

"The system of points LEED uses to certify projects is further-reaching than I imagined. I realized while studying that this system not only encourages the use of environmentally-conscious materials and building systems, but also incentivizes design choices that lessen our carbon footprints and promote healthy ways of life."

-Nick Rauscher

NICHOLAS RAUSCHER NAMED CHAIR OF STL AIA J.E.D.I. PROGRAMS

JANUARY 2024: The American Institute of Architects St. Louis Chapter named Nicholas Rauscher to serve as Chair of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Programs for the 2024 calendar year.

"The opportunity to lead the organization and execution of educational and social events for fellow professionals in my region is important to me. I strongly believe that a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace can truly create more creative, productive, healthy, and successful business environments across any industry."

-Nick Rauscher

Nick has been involved with the J.E.D.I. Programs Subcommittee since 2022. Last year he imagined and organized the chapter's "All Gender Restroom Design Panel Discussion" event in November 2023. Nick, along with other committee members, invited regional industry professionals with experience in the subject area to participate in prompted discussion and a Q+A Session. Event sponsors included restroom equipment manufacturer Bobrick.

"The All-Gender Restroom Design Panel was very successful in starting a discussion. We know the idea of reimagining a space as private as a restroom is a complicated, layered process. It's a sensitive topic that must be discussed with diverse voices at the table. We must consider the many reasons it is such a sensitive space and remember to employ an inclusive, and trauma-informed approach to design. Restrooms are unlike any other area of a building, and they must be built to accommodate and include all."

-Nick Rauscher

Nick's term as Chair began in January, 2024 and will extend to January, 2025.