Franco Piva

Engineer
Ergodomus Timber Engineering

Franco is a pioneering structural engineer with over 21 years of experience in timber engineering, establishing himself as one of the first experts in mass timber construction in Italy and Europe. As the founder of Ergodomus Timber Engineering, Franco has successfully designed more than 300 timber buildings, including key post-earthquake reconstruction projects. His technical expertise spans static analysis, building physics, 3D modeling, CNC programming, and the creation of detailed shop and assembly drawings.

Franco is a strong advocate of the Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approach, which he has integrated into all projects to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. This methodology, coupled with a 100% BIM workflow, enables meticulous detailing, prefabrication, and a holistic design process, ensuring durable and high-performance timber structures. His extensive experience in designing buildings within seismic zones underscores his ability to create resilient and safe constructions.

Committed to continuous innovation, Franco has led numerous R&D projects aimed at advancing wood construction techniques. He actively promotes wood technology through participation in international conferences and seminars and is the author of two books on wood construction, with a third published in Italian and an English version in progress.