![]() ![]() In his American Magazine essay, Williams commented, “Virtually everything pertaining to my professional life during those early years was influenced by my need to offset race prejudice, by my effort to force white people to consider me as an individual rather than a member of a race….” He said that he developed this ability as an adjustment to racism in this way, he would accommodate clients who may not want to sit next to him. Fact: Williams was known for his skill in drawing upside down. During the 30s, 40s, and 50s, Williams was known as the “Architect to the stars”, having designed homes for many famous Hollywood celebrities, including Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Betty Grable, Lucille Ball, and Desi Arnaz. In 1957, he was recognized as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and he was the first African American to be honored with the award. Later, his practice expanded to include buildings now considered landmarks such as MCA, Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, Palm Springs Tennis Club, LAX Theme Building, Beverly Hills Hotel which was popular with celebrities, and the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Building.ĭuring World War II, Paul Williams served as an architect in the US Navy Department. Early on, Williams’ practice focused on small homes and later, on large homes for famous clients. He also owned a furniture manufacturing business. ![]() He became a licensed architect in 1921 and opened his own practice in LA 1923. In 1916, Paul Williams was a national medalist in a Society of Beaux-Arts Architects competition. Paul Williams attended college at the University of Southern California. He is the first African American architect to receive this award. Williams was posthumously honored in 2017 with the AIA Gold Medal which recognizes individuals whose work has a long-lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.Eight of Williams’ works have been named to the National Register of Historic Places.Williams was active in helping youth and African Americans and he donated his time and architectural skills to many organizations, including St.He was a very successful architect, designing homes for celebrities as well as designing important commercial structures, including the MCA Building and the Theme Building at LAX.He established his own architecture practice at a time in which racism was pervasive.Williams was the first African American member of the AIA. ![]()
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