Paolo Piva (1950 - 2017) was born in Adria, Italy, and studied architecture under Prof. Carlo Scarpa in Venice, writing his dissertation Vienna from 1918 to 1934 - socialist council housing in Vienna.  Vienna and Venice were the focal points of his life. He had studios in both cities and also was teaching at the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna.  As the architect and designer observed, "Vienna motivates me intellectually, and in Italy I profit from spontaneous vitality."  In addition to architecture, Piva has worked with several furniture manufacturers including B&B Italia, deSede, Poliform, Riva 1920, and Wittmann.