Spread over 160 pages in full colour, it unveils a remarkable journey through his many projects that demonstrate a meticulous attention to detail and thought. Aziz Tayob's creations not only left a lasting impression on clients but also introduced the transformative power of architecture to many who encountered it for the first time in their lives.

Commencing in the 1940s, it navigates the intricacies of his experiences, including the hurdles of growing up as a person of colour in apartheid South Africa and then having to study and work under the same oppressive system. It was a journey that, despite numerous challenges, saw the realization of several hundred projects.

His son Haneef explains that while the writing of the book formally started some 18 months ago, its foundation was slowly being laid over the years as they collected and categorized archival material.

He explains, “Many people who heard the stories of my dad’s experiences and numerous projects would ask my dad when he was going to write a book.”

It initially started with a focus on architecture.

"As we curated the work, we realized that this was going to be more than just a coffee table book with pretty pictures. Every building had a story to tell. Every new project was a product of its time and environment. The journey, while rewarding, was long and tough, with its fair share of disappointments. It was often dictated by outside forces, including the might of the apartheid system."

The book manages to overlay the career of South Africa’s first architect of colour on the path of a nation. 

Activist and former MP Ismail Vadi, who wrote the foreword, acknowledged that many people like Aziz also walked the ‘long road to empowerment’.