This monograph on the work of Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha is divided into chapters that group the projects by theme. A strict chronological approach helps readers understand the architectural work of Mendes da Rocha in the context of Brazil's complex post-WWII history, particularly the coup that resulted in the architect's expulsion from the university for a decade and harmed his professional career for 20 years.
The book identifies and admires especially important accomplishments in each of the Brazilian architect’s work development phases, furthering proper discussion of the great themes around which it revolves. Although some themes are limited to fairly short periods, others run through his entire career like a fil rouge that has been unwinding for half a century. These themes, their persistence and their variations constitute the backbone of the book. The second part is entirely given over to detailed analysis of the designs and works which, by virtue of their structural and spatial complexity, require extensive and more complex reading. This second section is, therefore, designed to be read as sequential to the first and in-depth examinations of single projects that the first part of the book links to and highlights against a historical and cultural background. A complete summary of works and projects and an extensive bibliography follow.