Paul Revere Williams, FAIA was a groundbreaking African American architect who overcame significant racial barriers to become one of the most successful architects in American history. Born in Los Angeles to parents from Memphis, Tennessee, Williams was orphaned by age four and placed in foster care. Despite being discouraged by a high school teacher who told him white clients wouldn't hire a Black architect, Williams persevered and became the first Black graduate from USC's architecture program in 1919. He worked for prominent firms including Wilbur Cook, Reginald Johnson, and John C. Austin before opening his own practice in 1922.
Williams achieved numerous firsts: the first Black member of the national AIA (1923), first Black architect licensed in California (1921), and first Black architect named a Fellow by the AIA (1957). Known as the 'architect to the stars,' he designed homes for numerous celebrities throughout his career. His practice spanned over 50 years until his retirement in 1973, during which he designed thousands of buildings ranging from modest homes to major institutional projects.
AWARDS
First Black architect named a Fellow by the AIA (1957)
Spingarn Medal from the NAACP (1953)
AIA Gold Medal (2017, posthumous)
Honorary degrees from Howard University (1952) and Tuskegee (1957)
Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Fame (2018)
NOTABLE WORKS
Blackburn Residence (1927), Los Feliz – LAHCM #913
28th Street YMCA (1926), Los Angeles – NRHP, LAHCM
Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Building (1949), West Adams, Los Angeles – LAHCM #1000
Paul R. Williams Residence (1952), Lafayette Square, Los Angeles – LAHCM
Theme Building, LAX (1961), Los Angeles – LAHCM, with Pereira & Luckman and Welton Becket
Founders Church of Religious Science (1960), Los Angeles – NRHP, LAHCM
Angelus Funeral Home (1934), Los Angeles – NRHP, LAHCM
Victor Rossetti Residence (1928), Los Angeles – LAHCM #915
Castera Residence (1936), Los Angeles – LAHCM
Oakridge and Grounds (1937), Northridge, CA – LAHCM
T.R. Craig Residence (1939), Los Angeles – LAHCM
Hunt Residence (1940), Los Angeles – LAHCM
Hannah Schwartz Apartments (1947), Los Angeles – LAHCM
Second Baptist Church (1924), Los Angeles – NRHP
First Church of Christ, Scientist (1939), Reno, NV – NRHP
Luella Garvey House (1934), Reno, NV – NRHP
Goldschmidt House (1928), San Clemente, CA – NRHP
Berkley Square (1954-1955), Las Vegas, NV – NRHP – 148 homes
LEGACY
First Black member of the national AIA (1923)