Paul R. Williams Bibliography
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Paul Revere Williams An Annotated Bibliography Compiled and edited by Deborah W. Brackstone Annotated by Katherine Broome Paul Revere Williams Project Art Museum of the University of Memphis Acknowledgments Research for and production of this monograph is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Paul Revere Williams Project, an ongoing activity of the Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM), received generous support from the following: • First Tennessee Foundation • The National Endowment of the Arts • Institute of Museum and Library Services • Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts. This Creative Commons license allows the user to download this document and share it with others unchanged as long as the user credits Deborah W. Brackstone, Katherine Broome and the Paul Revere Williams Project at the Art Museum of the University of Memphis. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ The University of Memphis, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University. Introduction he Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM) initiated the Paul Revere Williams Project in 2006 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Focused Ton one of California’s most influential 20th century residential designers, this project has produced an exhibition and an illustrated website about Williams’ life, work and place in American architecture. The website also acts as an electronic “reference desk” for researchers and the interested general public. Because of the lack of scholarship on Williams, this pioneer African American architect was a natural subject for an academic art museum to research. Beginning in the 1920s and continuing through most of the century, Paul R. Williams was viewed by his peers as a master of the affordable, small house for a growing American middle class and the large, historic revival residence for the affluent. Photographic essays featuring his work on these two distinct types of architecture appeared in major professional and design magazines. His opinions on design were sought and widely reported. His influence on American aesthetics extended well beyond California. Architectural historians have given Williams’ work only glancing attention, but the thousands of articles published during his active career support a new thesis. More than the popular image of a California mansion builder, he was influential in forming the tastes of an emerging 20th century middle class consumer and advocating for well-designed, affordable housing for all Americans. After his death in 1980, Paul R. Williams quickly fell from public notice. From its inception, the Paul Revere Williams Project has focused on renewing public knowledge about this architect and encouraging research by scholars at all levels. To facilitate this goal a searchable electronic bibliography was created and is posted on the project’s website. This list of over 2200 entries is the result of an intensive survey of the literature using modern electronic and traditional research tools—including electronic archives and databases, classic print indices and published bibliographies, and communication with experts and homeowners. The result is a vetted list of reliable resources covering all aspects of Williams’ life, professional work, aesthetic philosophy and civic engagement. The majority of Paul R. Williams’ business archives (letters, drawings, photographs) were destroyed in 1992 during the Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King verdict. Without these original records much of the material produced about Williams since his death is based on popular lore or speculation. Inaccuracies have become imbedded in the literature and are frequently repeated and presented as truth with little verification. A careful reading of synchronous materials written by or about Williams and his projects corrects many of these inaccuracies. A goal of this monograph is to aid a new generation in discovering the real Paul Revere Williams using resources that are available via the Internet or by visiting a local public or academic library. This monograph of 1235 entries is a shortened version of the original electronic bibliography — now with annotations. To compensate for the paucity of surviving resources, the thousands of accounts about Williams and his projects were collected, evaluated and compiled for the original, larger bibliography. The majority of entries found in the annotated bibliography are contemporary to Williams. They report what he was doing and saying at the time and are not influenced by incomplete memories or popular lore. The more recent citations included here were evaluated by comparing them to the content of the synchronous materials. Art Museum of the University of Memphis i Paul Revere Williams Project Introduction The following types of publications were surveyed: Books Book chapters Popular magazines (i.e. TIME, HOUSE BEAUTIFUL, PHOTOPLAY, LIFE) Newspapers Academic journals Dissertations or theses Government Reports Moderated Blogs Articles from websites specializing in regional architectural history or architectural preservation and moderated by experts in the field. The summary annotation included with each record describes an entry in complete sentences and is presented without editorial comments. This monograph is arranged by subject and is in alphabetical order within the subject heading. Entries may be listed under more than one subject heading. The subject headings are: Architecture and Society Architecture United States Architecture Non United States Architecture California Architecture Commercial and Industrial Architecture Designs and Plans Architecture Public Architecture Residential Buildings Details Interior Decoration Paul R. Williams Biographical Information Paul R. Williams Writings Social Issues United States Abbreviations and terms used: Illus: photographs b & w Illus: photographs color Illus: drawings (this includes elevations) Illus: renderings (this is an exact or measured drawing) Floor plan Site plan (how the design fits on the property, outline of the building on the property) Proposal drawing or schematic Complete name of the photographer, photographic studio, artist or architect of any illustration if credited; Bibliography or index; Synchronous with Williams (material created contemporary with Williams); Recent (material created after Williams’ death in 1980). Art Museum of the University of Memphis ii Paul Revere Williams Project Contents Subject Headings: Architecture and Society 1-15 Architecture United States 16-28 Architecture Non United States 29 Architecture California 30-105 Architecture Commercial and Industrial 106-130 Architecture Designs and Plans 131-146 Architecture Public 147 Architecture Residential 148-194 Buildings Details 195-196 Interior Decoration 197-206 Paul R. Williams Biographical Information 207-224 Paul R. Williams Writings 225-227 Social Issues United States 228-245 Art Museum of the University of Memphis iii Paul Revere Williams Project Architecture and Society Created July 2015. MLA 6th edition Adams, Michael. “Perspectives: Historical Essay, Black Architects- a Legacy of Shadows.” Progressive Architecture February 1991: 85-87. Adams discusses the role black American architects played in the 19th and 20th centuries. Williams and his designs are discussed on p. 87. Recent Ills: photograph, Duke University Ills: photograph, Julius Shulman Ills: photographs, Birmingham Public Library Ills: photograph. Adams, Walter. “What America Wants to Build.” Better Homes and Gardens June 1946: 23-25-96. Adams polled BHG readers who were ready to build new homes. He asked what type of home they wanted, what interior features they wanted to add, and what type of interior layout they desired. He also interviewed seven architects for their opinions based on the readers’ answers. Most readers wanted Cape Cod, contemporary, or ranch-style exteriors, with basements and recreation rooms. They also wanted larger outdoor areas, exterior cellar doors, eating nooks located in the kitchen, and modern dining-living room combinations. Synchronous with Williams Ills: sketches. “Air-Conditioned to a Vile Mood.” Los Angeles Times October 21 1959, sec. B: 4. Editorial response to Williams’ speech made at the National Society of Interior Decorator’s [Designers] annual banquet (for original article, see Los Angeles Times Oct. 20, 1959, pt. I, p. 16). His prediction of filtered air-conditioning, with the possibility of “perfume,” becoming commonplace in the home made the writer question whether or not this would become problematic in the future. Synchronous with Williams. “Architect’s New Wave: Growing Demand Brings Surge of Contracts to Black Building Designers.” Ebony June 1971: 33-42. Photographic essay examines America’s most prominent black American architects. Williams is pictured on p. 34. Synchronous with Williams Ills: photographs. “Architects Set Style: Easterners Cling to Early Styles; West Changes.” Washington Observer July 5 1950: 15. Article discusses the architectural differences between eastern and western residential designs. Williams and Gregory Ain criticized East Coast architects for their reluctance to create more modern designs for their clients. Eastern architects responded by stating that most residents in the east do not wish to have modern-type housing because this style does not fit with the colder climates, which are common in the region. Synchronous with Williams. Architectural