Paul R. Williams made quite the name for himself in the architectural world, designing more than 2,000 houses and 2,500 total buildings over his 50-year career. Most notably, he worked with big names in the Hollywood scene like Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra. More recently, celebrities like Denzel Washington and Ellen DeGeneres have inhabited his homes.
As a tribute to Williams, HomeAdvisor commissioned artist Ibrahim Rayintakath to illustrate 43 of these homes, in addition to creating a map that outlines their locations for passionate admirers who want to see them in person.
Paul Revere Williams was born into a very poor family, in 1894. At the age of four, he became an orphan. From this humble beginning, he overcame the challenges to earn the title as the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Rising above his childhood was only one obstacle as a Black man trying to make it as a professional in 1920s California. Williams also learned to draw upside down for white clients not comfortable sitting next to him at the table. As the client list began to grow, he released two books of affordable home designs, saying “expensive homes are my business & social housing is my hobby.” Although the U.S. went through a housing shortage shortly after, wealthy clients supported his business until his retirement in 1973.
For this project, HomeAdvisor wanted to honor Williams’ inspiring work and expansive career while providing i...