This episode features Scott Leavengood interviewing Dr. Mariapaola Riggio, an expert in wood design and architecture. Dr. Riggio discusses her work on enhancing the sustainability of mass timber construction and the benefits of extending the service life of timber buildings, sharing insights from her research on optimizing material use and end-of-life strategies, as well as her past projects in Italy, including the structural assessment of the timber roof of the bell tower in Florence. 

Quote: “While in my previous experience with historical buildings, I was called in when the patient was already ill to diagnose the severity and cause of the issue… in the case of Peavy, I’m monitoring the condition of a young, healthy subject, ensuring it remains in optimal condition, and performs as intended.”

– Dr. Mariapaola Riggio, Associate Professor of Wood Design and Architecture at Oregon State University 

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Resources Mentioned

• https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/collegeofforestry/2020/06/29/a-living-lab-at-peavy-hall-lessons-for-the-mass-timber-construction-industry/

Favorite Tree(s)

• Olive Tree 

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