One of the most important figures in Brazilian material culture, Jos Zanine Caldas (1919-2001) left behind a diverse legacy in architecture, design and art. His oeuvre includes maquettes built for architecture, industrial and handcrafted furniture, sculpture, landscaping and floriculture, low-income and elite housing designs, and research on the use and reuse of Brazilian woods. Much of Caldas' aesthetic was based on his dialogue with vernacular craft and its construction practices, which stemmed in part from his lack of a traditional education.

This book introduces his work and celebrates the centenary of his birth, tracing his trajectory with a primary focus on the rationale of his design and his worldview. It includes original photography of Zanine's work alongside an extensive survey of personal and institutional collections, much of which is being published here for the first time.