Emilio Giovanni Gollo was born in 1873 in Cisano sul Neva, Liguria, Italy. He studied engineering at the University of Turin and the Accademia Albertina. In 1899, he came to Siam and began working as assistant engineer under Carlo Allegri, the chief engineer of the Department of Public Works. Later, he worked alongside Mario Tamagno for many years until his retirement in the late reign of King Rama VI.

During his career, Gollo contributed to many important civil engineering projects in Siam, including: Makawan Rangsan Bridge, Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, buildings in Paruskavan Palace, Phan Fa Lilat Bridge, Racharit Rungror Palace, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Phya Thai Palace, B. Grimm building on Charoen Krung Road, Dusit Palace Hall, Suan Kulap Palace, Phra Ratchawang Police Station, Devaraj Saparom Pavilion, Phya Thai Palace, Ministry of Commerce building (now Museum Siam), and many more.

In 1923, after 25 years of service, Gollo planned to retire and receive his pension. However, King Rama VI conferred upon him the noble title Phraya Silpasart Sophit as a special honour on 10 November 1923. Because his expertise was still needed, his contract was extended for another year so he could complete construction at Maruekatayawan Palace. He finally retired and left Siam on 10 September 1924, returning to his hometown of Cisano sul Neva, where he passed away in 1934 at the age of 62.

Gollo’s work reflected the “modern” spirit of engineering during the reigns of Kings Rama V and VI. He helped introduce new European technologies and structural concepts into Siamese construction, such as the use of reinforced concrete — a new material in the early 20th century — to replace traditional wood post-and-beam structures. Government buildings of that time shifted from timber to permanent concrete, emphasising strength, fire resistance, good ventilation, and functionality for modern administration.

A notable example is the Ministry of Commerce building (now Museum Siam), which featured reinforced concrete, a central hall, and wide spiral staircases without columns. Gollo also proposed establishing a cement factory in Siam, which led to the founding of Siam Cement in 1909. This enabled local production of modern materials and advanced Siam into the industrial age.