02/24/2026
Paul Revere Williams was one of the most successful architects in 20th-century America and the first widely recognized Black architect in the United States.
He was born in Los Angeles in 1894 and lost both of his parents at a young age. Despite being told that a Black man would not be accepted in architecture, he pursued the profession anyway, studying at the University of Southern California and later training in New York and Europe. In 1921, he opened his own architectural practice in Los Angeles.
Because many white clients in that era were uncomfortable sitting beside a Black architect, Williams developed the ability to draw upside down across the table. This allowed clients to view the plans from their side without needing to sit next to him. The skill became a practical solution to segregation in professional settings and later became one of the most well-known details about his career.
Williams went on to design more than 3,000 buildings over several decades. His work included luxury homes, churches, public housing projects, commercial buildings, and institutional structures. He became especially well known for designing homes for Hollywood figures and wealthy clients, but he also worked on large civic projects and affordable housing developments.
Among his major contributions were residential designs throughout Southern California, work connected to Los Angeles International Airport, and projects that helped shape the built environment of mid-century Los Angeles. His architectural style adapted to client needs, ranging from traditional revival styles to modern designs.
Williams broke several professional barriers during his lifetime. In 1923, he became the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects. In 1957, he became the first Black architect admitted to the AIA College of Fellows. In 2017, he was awarded the AIA Gold Medal posthumously, the highest honor in American architecture.
Today, Paul Revere Williams is remembered not only for the scale of his work, but for how he navigated racial barriers in a profession that largely excluded Black architects in the early 20th century.
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