Every generation births a handful of individuals who challenge the norm and blaze a path for the future. One such genius, born in 1894, was Paul Revere Williams. Tragically orphaned within a few years, he was raised by a foster mother who noticed and encouraged his talent for drawing. Over the years, his passion continued to grow despite societal barriers. After high school, Paul Williams began his journey to becoming a trailblazing architect through internships and jobs at local architecture firms.
At a time when racial prejudice was evident, this future architect’s indomitable spirit led him to attend the Los Angeles atelier of the Beaux-Arts Institute of Design and subsequently, the University of Southern California to pursue architectural engineering. With a degree in hand, in 1921, he made his first unquestionable mark in the world of architecture- Paul Revere Williams became the first African-American member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
The Designing of A Stellar Career
Having initially worked for designers like John C. Austin and Wilbur D. Cook, Paul R. Williams opened the doors to his practice in 1923. He later even served as an architect for the Navy during WWII. This career, spanning nearly six decades and around 3000 buildings, was studded with an array of stars’ homes, well-known commercial buildings, and still-standing civic structures. His work touched all spheres of design, and his contribution to architecture is undeniable.
“Without having the wish to ‘show them,’ I developed a fierce desire to ‘show myself.’ I wanted to vindicate every ability I had. I wanted to acquire new abilities. I wanted to prove that I, as an individual, deserved a place in the world.”
Another example of his incredible attitude in the face of barriers is long-chronicled and well-known. Attempting to ease any white client’s discomfort sitting next to an African-American, Paul Williams learned to draw upside down. This way, he could sit across the table and still sketch whenever required. He is also known to have conducted his site visits with his hands clasped behind his back to remove any awkwardness in case someone was unsure of shaking his hands.
While the fact that these gestures were warranted is disheartening, they tell the story of a man with loftier goals – goals to make the most of a given situation, to design the best he could, and to create space for the next generation to open doors shut to him.
However, it obviously wasn’t just Paul Williams’ attitude that made him a ‘Starchitect’ (both a star in his own right and the ‘Architect to the Stars’). It was his incredible skill and knowledge of his craft. Here was a man whose best friends were composition, proportion, and an innate ability to personalise and breathe comfort into the most elaborate spaces. His attention to detail and love for grandeur gave rise to a unique concoction of design elements and ideas that he adapted into different styles and settings. Grand entrances and luxuriously curved staircases were just as much a part of his repertoire as the then-revolutionary thought of blending indoor-outdoor spaces and creating liveable patios.
Paul R. Williams believed in working with the context to meet his client’s needs, and his designs reflect this.
Amping Up The gL.A.mour
Even a brief look into this renowned architect’s work will provide significant insight into his vast and varied architectural mastery. From the opulent Hollywood Regency style to Spanish Colonial, French Chateau, and Modern minimal styles, Paul Williams conquered them all. This innate ability brought him opportunities to design mansion after mansion for the Hollywood elite and civil and commercial structures that still shape the fabric of the cities they are in.
Despite not being allowed to stay overnight due to his race when working on The Beverly Hills Hotel in the 1940s, this posh establishment is still one of the architect’s most known associations. Spaces like the Polo Lounge, the Crescent Wing, and the Paul Williams Suite continue to enthral guests. And, to this day, the iconic cursive lettering on the hotel’s signage, based on the architect’s handwriting, welcomes all those who come around.
A Life That Continues To Shine
While Paul Williams was the talk of Tinseltown, he was also an architect who understood the social impact of his craft. He was involved in multiple social housing projects and mentored and inspired young architects, especially those of African American descent. His granddaughter Karen E. Hudson is now continuing this work. She is the Executive Director of ‘The Paul Williams Scholarship & Education Fund’ created in 2023 to “introduce K-12 students to career paths in architecture”. The fund also aims to mentor students of colour and provide financial assistance.
The University of Southern California (the architect’s alma mater), and the Getty Research Institute recently obtained Paul Williams’ archive of original plans, drawings, photographs, and more. They aim to shed light on his work and showcase his legacy to the public. The Los Angeles City Council has also designated the architect’s home as a Historic-Cultural Monument.
That is not all. Celebrating Paul Williams’ impact on L.A.’s culture, the ‘Palm Springs Walk of Stars’ now features a star in the architect’s honour. The AIA also posthumously awarded the architect one of their highest honours – the AIA Gold Medal. The only hope for the future is that the world lets Paul Revere Williams’ life and legacy be a beacon of light, inspiring and guiding toward a more resilient and inclusive society.
References:
Architect to the stars: Paul R. Williams. (2024) African American Design Nexus – Honoring the work of African American designers at the intersection of design, black identity, and practice. Available at: https://aadn.gsd.harvard.edu/2024/01/27/architect-to-the-stars-paul-r-williams/.
Bates, K.G. (2012) A trailblazing black architect who helped shape L.A., NPR. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2012/06/22/155442524/a-trailblazing-black-architect-who-helped-shape-l-a.
Landers, M. (2022) A man of the grandest design: Architect Paul R. Williams – built: The bluebeam blog, Built | The Bluebeam Blog. Available at: https://blog.bluebeam.com/man-grandest-design-architect-paul-williams/.
Lee, L. (no date) Nine places that illustrate the life of trailblazing black architect Paul R. Williams: National Trust for Historic Preservation, Nine Places that Illustrate the Life of Trailblazing Black Architect Paul R. Williams | National Trust for Historic Preservation. Available at: https://savingplaces.org/stories/nine-places-that-illustrate-the-life-of-trailblazing-black-architect-paul-r-williams.
Paul R. Williams (2023) LA Conservancy. Available at: https://www.laconservancy.org/learn/architect-biographies/paul-r-williams/.
Pioneer of the L.A. Look: Paul R. Williams wasn’t just ‘architect to the stars,’ he shaped the city (2021) Los Angeles Times. Available at: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-01-14/architect-paul-r-williams-shaped-los-angeles-black-pioneer.
