Although paul revere williams carved out a prolific career, his rightful place among great u. Paul revere williams, faia 18941980 by any measure, the accomplishments of trailblazing architect paul williams are astounding. Jun 29, 2017 the late africanamerican architect, who worked with the biggest names in hollywood, is back in the spotlight thanks to a number of recent, posthumous awards. One of the most prominent africanamerican architects in america. Dec 18, 2017 on the heels of the opening of a new photo exhibit celebrating the work of paul revere williams comes news that the international modernstyle home the pioneering architect designed for himself. Quincy jones, who worked with williams from 1939 to 1940. In a career spanning almost six decades, williams designed more than 3,000 structures and mastered a range of architectural styles. Theres a centennial birthday coming up july 12th for the beverly hills hotel which opened in 1912 and was renovated by paul revere williams in 1946 iconic. In 1923, he was the first black architect to become a member of the national professional organization, the american institute of architects aia, and he rose to. From the center to the margins and back again by christopher hawthorne the 2017 aia gold medal winner was a prolific and gifted architect whose. The career of paul revere williams was a triumph that paved the way for countless architects to follow, and now his life story is a documentary on pbs. This architect of classic hollywood gets his own star turn. Williams 1894 1980, the renowned africanamerican architect in southern california, is the subject of this collaboration of individuals and organizations in which the american institute of architects memphis and the university of memphis are the core institutions. 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.
But paul revere williams had something simpler, more functional in mind when he drew up plans for the original st. Paul revere williams was one of the most important and prolific commercial architects ever to hit the drawing board. Classic hollywood style with a foreword by designer kelly wearstler. Williams became a registered architect in the state of ca in 1921. Feb 06, 2020 between 1993 and 2012, hudson published three books on her groundbreaking grandfather. He was the first africanamerican west of the mississippi to get that certification. Williams was no ordinary architect of his time, he broke racial barriers when. Williams, 2017 over a career spanning six decades, architect paul revere williams came to define what gracious living looked like for the hollywood elite. Learn more about the man and events that shaped his life in this timeline. Lubbers and j n miller, university of memphis, paul r.
See more ideas about architect, paul revere, williams. Williams was the only black child in his elementary school. 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. Architect paul revere williams designed many structures at a time when very few people of color had the opportunity to practice architecture. With a portfolio of nearly 3,000 buildings over five. Architect paul revere williams is a star among celebrities 1 10 a framed photograph of the late paul revere williams, an early architect to the stars, sits inside the home of his granddaughter. Paul revere williams, american architect usc libraries. Williams found in books, newspapers, scholarly, architectural and. Twentytwo of the architects residential projects are presented in photographs and text. Paul revere williams 18941980 artistic genius became and remains the signature for quintessential california elegance. Williams maintained his relationship with austin and collaborated with him throughout the years.
Paul revere williams designed homes for countless celebrities during the 1900s. How renowned architect paul revere williams left his touch. 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. Over a career spanning six decades, architect paul revere williams came to define what gracious living looked like for the hollywood elite. The american institute of architects aia has announced paul revere williams, faia as the posthumous winner of the 2017 aia gold medal. Building and construction was his thing, boy, could he make his pencil sing. Paul williams life story reinforced in me a will to go after it with all my energy and not be bitter but to work and in time the way would be provided by the will. Paul revere williams, pioneering black architect, named 2017. Aia recognizes legacy of 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. Williams mastered an array of architectural idiomsincluding american colonial, spanish mediterranean, english tudor, french normandy, art d.
Although widely cited, even in tv documentaries, as a paul williams house, the architect was leland f. From the center to the margins and back again by christopher hawthorne the 2017 aia gold medal winner was. From the center to the margins and back again the 2017 aia gold medal winner was a prolific and gifted architect whose recognition is belated in more ways than one. Karen hudsons loving portrayal of her grandfathers architectural legacy is inspiring. The tennis club 1946 and the town and country center 1948. Thank you karen hudson for writing about your grandfather. With a ruler and pencil in his hand, pauls buildings became famous throughout the land. Records from the washington state department of archeology and historic preservation dahp state. Paul revere williams was the first african american to become a member 1923 and later a fellow 1957 of the american institute of architects. Dec 08, 2016 paul revere williams, the pioneering black architect who designed nearly 3,000 buildings during his fivedecade career, has been posthumously awarded the american institute of architects aia.
His father had died of the same illness two years earlier. Why you should know trailblazing architect paul revere. Bottom photo by sam brackstone, 2010 paul revere williams project. Williams is thoughtfully authored by his granddaughter and, as a result, we are given a rare, personal view of the man behind the houses. 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. Williams worked on more than 2,000 residences in the course of his career. In this beautifully presented book williamss granddaughter the director of his archives as well as the author of a monograph on williamss work takes journal. Jun 21, 20 architect paul revere williams is a star among celebrities 1 10 a framed photograph of the late paul revere williams, an early architect to the stars, sits inside the home of his granddaughter. Paul revere williams, architect to the stares thoughtco. Orphaned at the age of four, he was the only african american student in. 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. Williams and his brother were placed in separate foster homes. This book was written by his grandaughter and contains many family pictures in addition to great photos of many of his. 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 began designing homes and commercial buildings in the early 1920s. Paul williams, an africanamerican architect who made his name designing homes for stars like frank sinatra and lucille ball, donated his services to help his friend danny thomas build st. Thirtyseven years after his passing, williams continues to break new ground. Williams was two years old when his father died and four when his mother died. Williams was an architect no finer one have we met.
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. This book was written by his grandaughter and contains many family pictures in addition to great photos of many of his projects. Williams graduated from the university of southern. Despite choosing to work in a segregated industry, he was the first black architect to become a member of the national professional organization, the american institute of architects aia in 1923. Williams authored two books in the 1940s that were reissued in 2006new homes for today and the small home of tomorrow. He was the first africanamerican architect to practice west of the mississippi.
Aug 28, 2012 explore kimberlybridgess board paul r. Paul williams, the first certified black architect in. The career of paul revere williams was defined by glitz, glam, and a remarkable triumph over adversity that helped pave the way for countless architects to follow. Paul revere williams is known as an architect to the stars, one of the first african americans who achieved stature in a racially divided profession, but he also created civic works that spoke to the legacy he wanted to leave behind. Why you should know trailblazing architect paul revere williams almost four decades after his death, the africanamerican architect whose. He was the first certified black architect west of the mississippi and the first black member of the american institute of architectsbut theres more to.
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. Hudson, the granddaughter of williams, has published paul r williams, architect and paul r. On the heels of the opening of a new photo exhibit celebrating the work of paul revere williams comes news that the international modernstyle home the pioneering architect designed for himself. Jun 22, 2012 paul revere williams began designing homes and commercial buildings in the early 1920s. The american institute of architects bestowed its highest honor, the gold medal, on paul revere williams in december 2017. Paul revere williams is the first known africanamerican member of the american institute of architects. When paul williams decided to become an architect, people told him no white clients would work with an africanamerican. Paul revere williams was a celebrated architect and an africanamerican.
Paul revere williams is known as an architect to the stars, one of the first african americans who achieved stature in a racially divided profession, but he also created civic works that spoke to. Williams project began in early 2006 as an initiative of the memphis. When paul was two years old his father died, and two years later his mother died. The overlooked legacy of pioneering africanamerican. He was the first africanamerican to become a licensed architect in the western region of america. Paul revere williams 18941980 achieved a number of firsts during his lifetime. Williams the architect prior to reading the book, but i. Williams, architect janna ireland, photographer there is only one paul r. Classic hollywood style is a dazzling tour of this prolific architects most spectacular houses, by his granddaughter karen hudson, with a special focus on their roles not only as places for high living but also as venues for worldclass entertaining.
Although he was not the first africanamerican architect, he was the first to become a member of the american institute of architects. He also designed many public and private buildings. For this project, the socalled architect to the stars sketched a star. Anacortes 1928 home by groundbreaking africanamerican. Shashank bengali, usc williams the conqueror karen hudson, author the will and the way. During his career that combination just didnt seem possible. Williams architect book online at best prices in india on. Williams was probably the greatest africanamerican architect of the mid twentieth century. The path he has forged has served as an inspiration for young architects to this day. Architect paul revere williams is a star among celebrities. Features the work of the first africanamerican member an. 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. African american architect paul revere williams designed many iconic buildings and classic homes, often for celebrities. See the latest news and architecture related to paul revere williams, only on archdaily.
Paul williams success as an african american architect in the early 19th century is truly an inspiring story of will. Williams prolific career extended from the 1920s to the 1970s. He designed homes ofr amny famous hollywood personalities, plus some iconic public buildings including the terminal at lax. Pioneering architect paul revere williams, revisited youtube.