About

Founded in 2021 by Federico Borello and Massimiliano Manno, ENCODE is a forward-thinking consultancy dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

With two decades of combined expertise, the founders identified a critical gap in the industry's digital process chain—one that limits its ability to realize complex creative visions. ENCODE was established to address this challenge, offering independent, production-oriented data modeling services designed to enhance project complexity and elevate industry standards.

Our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement has positioned ENCODE as a trusted leader in the field. We empower architects and industry professionals to tackle even the most intricate projects while driving progress through cutting-edge solutions.

At ENCODE, we believe collaboration and innovation are the keys to achieving extraordinary results. Our mission is to deliver exceptional outcomes and foster enduring partnerships with our clients.

  • Massimiliano Manno

    Co-Founder | Director

    Massimiliano Manno is an Architect based in Sydney, Australia.

    He holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Architecture with Honors from the Polytechnic of Turin and has accumulated 11 years of practical professional experience.

    Throughout his career, Massimiliano has worked with prestigious firms, including Cesare Griffa Architects, Bodino Engineering, DECODE, Gufram, MAD Architects, LAVA Asia Pacific, AR-MA, and YUANDA Australia. His portfolio features contributions to multiple award-winning projects, such as the Darling Exchange by Kengo Kuma and Wynyard Walk in Sydney. His work has been exhibited and published internationally, reflecting his expertise across a wide range of architectural typologies.

    In addition to his professional practice, Massimiliano has taught Architectural Design Studio at the Polytechnic of Turin. With a strong foundation in computational design, he is currently focused on developing processes that integrate advanced construction methodologies. His work emphasizes resolving complex geometries and delivering bespoke architectural projects, including highly customized façades and architectural elements.

  • Federico Borello

    Federico Borello is a registered Architect based in London.

    He holds a Master’s degree with Honours from the Polytechnic University of Turin and a Master of Architecture (March) from the Architectural Association’s Design Research Laboratory (AADRL) in London. He has also been a Visiting Scholar at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and has participated in numerous international workshops, including the AA Visiting Schools in London and Rome.

    Federico previously worked as a Senior Architect at Zaha Hadid Architects, within the CODE (Computation and Design) group, contributing to landmark projects including Dnipro Metro Stations, Prospera Residences and Unicorn Island Residences. His work focused on the development and implementation of advanced fabrication techniques, the integration of structure-aware geometries and the application of robotic-assisted manufacturing processes.

    He is currently a Lecturer at The Bartlett, University College London (UCL), where he leads Research Cluster 10 (RCX) within the Architectural Design postgraduate programme. RCX explores the intersection of computational design, emerging tectonic languages and industrialised construction, investigating novel design methodologies through rule-based strategies, participatory design and game technologies, robotic fabrication, and emerging applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML).

    Alongside his professional and academic practice, Federico has taught courses, led workshops and delivered lectures and conference presentations at international institutions and platforms, including the Architectural Association Design Research Laboratory (London), The Bartlett B-Pro (London), Tongji University (Shanghai), CITA (Copenhagen), ACADIA (Austin), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Suzhou), IAAC (Barcelona), CEDIM (Monterrey), MACAD (Barcelona), PA Academy, ThinkParametric and Pininfarina Academy.