Paul r williams12/27/2023 ![]() Imagine being a licensed architect in 1921 and an AIA member in 1923. Imagine sitting in the architecture school at USC in 1919 as the only Black student. The obstacles that were overcome by PRW inspire me on my own career journey. As an architect, I can only dream of having a career with so many built projects to leave as a legacy when I am done. For me, the power of architecture lies in its ability to shape the built environment and provide the context in which all of our society exists. To comprehend how one architect, regardless of color, could have been so prolific in his career is an astounding accomplishment in and of itself. His immense catalog of over 3,000 projects, from homes to commercial buildings to institutional projects, brings so much joy to me. I was recently asked to team up with another architect on an RFP response to a project at the LA County Courthouse that was design by PRW. Many of the exquisite homes contained in Janna Ireland’s book are still new revelations to me. I have walked by this building on hundreds of occasions and did not know that it was done by PRW. I recently learned about one of his projects in Long Beach, a former bank on Fourth street and Pine Avenue. ![]() Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, and homes for Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, and a host of other celebrities. Joy comes from knowing that he designed the Golden State Mutual Building on Western, the Baldwin Hills Mall, the Roosevelt Naval Base in Long Beach, the Howard University Architecture school, the St. Learning about the LAX Theme Building and the Beverly Hills Hotel is the mandatory minimum. Williams, entitled “ Rediscovering an Icon: Part 2 - Impacts & Influences.” The following is an Op-ed based on the conversations at the ULI-LA series on Paul R. His icon status is undeniable, and should be amplified and celebrated exponentially, however, for me his legacy is always bundled up into a mix of four emotions. ![]() Since that time, including a move to Los Angeles, I have experienced some of his works in person, met some of his family members, and had conversations with colleagues who knew him directly. Immediately upon learning about his works, I felt woefully behind. I was only exposed to PRW through the National Organization of Minority Architects, while I was in college. PRW was not covered in our euro-centric architecture curriculum. I went to a majority architecture school in New York. Paul R Williams was not the first Black Architect that I was exposed to. Architects and designers are in my family. How do you quantify the importance of such an icon of the profession? I did not grow up in Los Angeles. Williams has had on my career as an architect, I was initially hesitant. The result was a clientele of happy, wealthy, and powerful influencers who recommended him to their wealthy and powerful friends.When asked to reflect on the impact that Paul R. Because he had taken so many paths on his way to becoming an architect, Paul used his expanded knowledge of varied architectural styles and techniques. Williams didn’t have the luxury of imposing his style onto his clients. While a renowned White architect might present an idea with the attitude of “This is my creation, take it or leave it,” a Black man in a White world had to cater to his client’s wants to a much greater degree. Further helping Williams’ reputation was his client-centric approach to design. As a result, their mindset was such that they wanted to hire the best, and not be constrained by restrictions based on racism. Jewish stars were taking anglicized names (Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Cary Grant), and they too understood discrimination as they made inroads into the White Anglo power structure of Hollywood. Slowly, a changing social dynamic worked in Williams’ favor – Hollywood’s Golden Age was drawing a large Jewish population to Los Angeles and to the movie industry.
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