In addition, the creation of the usc paul williams scholarship in architecture is announced and broadway federal savings and loan association donates the first check. In a career spanning almost six decades, williams designed more than 3,000 structures and mastered a range of architectural styles. On the heels of the opening of a new photo exhibit celebrating the work of paul revere. Paul revere williams, faia february 18, 1894 january 23, 1980 was an american architect. Features the work of the first africanamerican member an.
The small home of tomorrow 1945, with a successor volume new homes for today 1946. Paul revere williams 18941980 find a grave memorial. Holmes suggests that the devil cant hide in the corners of a round building. Williams mastered an array of architectural idiomsincluding american colonial, spanish mediterranean, english tudor, french normandy, art deco, and, of course, the california ranch styleto create the sophisticated yet understated showplaces that. Williams project began in early 2006 as an initiative of the memphis. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. He also designed many public and private buildings. Paul s father died of tb when he was two, and his mother died of the same disease two years later. Being an account of certain episodes in the career of paul revere,esq. Photography exhibit highlights the pioneering paul revere. With an eye towards elegance, williams transformed the already famous hotel into an iconic destination. In the 1940s, the owners of the beverly hills hotel hired williams to renovate and update the property that catered to hollywoods stars. Although few documents from his practice have survived, architectural scholars have compiled extensive records of paul williams life and works, including contracts, letters from clients, plans, and materials related to. If interested in using the image, you must contact the source provided in the credit information as we can.
Hudson is paul williams granddaughter, an owner of one of his homes, and the author of paul r. Paul revere williams american pioneer bob welbaum author. He fought discrimination through competence, achievement, and grace, and there is a lesson for each american in him. The plans shown in these books reflected williams views on the future of lowcost housing. This book was given to me as a gift and 15 years later i still find myself taking a peak inside. In this 1958 jet photograph, williams views a rendering of the church with dr. Williams was one of the most successful architects of his time.
Thirtyseven years after his passing, williams continues to break new ground. By the time he died in 1980, he had created some 2,500 buildings, most of. Paul and his brother, chester, were split up and adopted. At this time, paul revere williams, one of the first african american architects west of the mississippi, published two books, the small home of tomorrow and new homes for today. Although he was not the first africanamerican architect, he was the first to become a member of the american institute of architects. Over a career spanning six decades, architect paul revere williams came to define what gracious living looked like for the hollywood elite. Paul revere williams, faia 18941980 by any measure, the accomplishments of trailblazing architect paul williams are astounding. Paul revere williams was one of the most important and prolific commercial architects ever to hit the drawing board. How renowned architect paul revere williams left his touch. He was raised by a foster mother who dedicated herself to his education and instilled in young paul that he could achieve anything he wanted. He practiced largely in southern california and designed the homes of numerous celebrities, including frank sinatra, lucille ball and desi arnaz, lon chaney, barbara stanwyck and charles correll.
Because print editors knew that features about actors, their rise from rags to riches and how they lived sold copy, images of his celebrity homes were often. Nicknamed architect to the stars, african american architect paul r. Williams the architect prior to reading the book, but i was not aware of his huge impact upon the california style of architecture. Paul revere williams 18941980 wikitree free family tree. The overlooked legacy of pioneering africanamerican. Paul williams was an accomplished architect in an era where me african americans were not given the opportunity to excel. As a black man in early 20thcentury america, he encountered constant reminders of racism and prejudice that threatened to bar his success, but williams didnt see these threats as insurmountable walls. Paul revere williams, faia 2017 gold medal recipient the gold medal is the aias highest annual honor, recognizing individuals whose work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. An architect whose work carried the glamour of classic\nsouthern california style to the rest of the world, williams was the among the\nfirst black students admitted to the beauxarts institute of design, the first\nblack architect to become a member of the aia, and, later, the first black\nmember to be inducted into the institute\u2019s. Paul williams, the first certified black architect in. Documentary highlighting the life of paul revere williams, the first certified african american architect west of the mississippi. At the height of his career paul revere williams was known for his tasteful designs for the homes and estates of the powerful of hollywood and affluent businessmen of southern california. Paul revere williams a legend in architecture youtube.
Classic hollywood style, focuses on some of the homes of his celebrity clients. Paul revere williams paul revere williams was the first african american to become a member 1923 and later a fellow 1957 of the american institute of architects. When paul was two years old his father died, and two years later his mother died. Williams mastered an array of architectural idiomsincluding american colonial, spanish mediterranean, english tudor, french normandy, art deco, and, of course, the california ranch styleto create the sophisticated yet understated showplaces that are. Williams mastered an array of architectural idiomsincluding american colonial, spanish mediterranean, english tudor, french normandy, art deco, and, of course, the california ranch styleto create the sophisticated yet understated. Grade 47one of americas foremost architects, paul revere williams, designed more than 3,000 houses, office buildings, schools, and churches during a career that spanned almost 60 years. As the first certified african american architect to work on the west coast, paul revere williams made a massive mark on southern california, designing nearly 3,000 buildings, including in. Although best known for designing the homes of celebrities like lucille ball and frank sinatra, the pioneering africanamerican architect paul revere williams also contributed to some of the city. Williams was no ordinary architect of his time, he broke racial barriers when. Our mission is to increase knowledge about the architect and his work by encouraging scholarship, facilitating access to information including an extensive bibliography, presenting exhibitions and publishing new research about his career.
Paul revere williams began designing homes and commercial buildings in the early 1920s. But at the height of his career he wasnt always welcome in the buildings he designed because of his race. Photography exhibit highlights the pioneering work of paul revere williams. Williams was the first africanamerican architect west of the mississippi, winning architectural competitions, and owning his own practice. This architect of classic hollywood gets his own star turn. Paul revere williams an africanamerican architect in jetage l. This resource includes specific references to paul r. Although he was not the first africanamerican architect, he was the first.
Unauthorized copying, reproduction, republishing, uploading, downloading, posting, transmitting, or duplicating these images is prohibited. Hollywoods architect will tell the story of how he used talent, determination and even charm to defy the odds and create a celebrated body of work. Paul williams still alive, documentarian stephen kessler, subject paul williams dec 2012. Architect forgotten hollywood paul revere williams. Paul revere williams 18941980 achieved a number of firsts during his lifetime. Seven of paul revere williams outstanding architectural.