The Paul R. Williams Family Home Restored by Escher GuneWardena
$12 (1 hr)
Frank Escher and Ravi GuneWardena, principals of the eponymous Los Angeles architectural firm, will present a lecture on the restoration of the family home of architect Paul R. Williams, FAIA. The first black member of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) and first black architect to be inducted to its college of fellows, Williams is known for his numerous residential projects for Hollywood celebrities, including Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s home in Palm Springs.
He built his own home in 1952 in the exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood of Lafayette Square, upon the lifting of racially restrictive covenants in the U.S. The house underwent a multi-year restoration process starting in 2020, including structural repairs and the return of its original color palette.
The Williams project joins a list of lauded preservation works by Escher GuneWardena Architecture, which includes John Lautner’s 1960 Chemosphere, the 1949 Eames House, Gregory Ain’s 1952 Greene Residence, A. Quincy Jones’ 1948 Pilot House, and two currently in-process projects, Richard Neutra’s 1929 Lovell Health House, and John Lautner’s own 1940 Silver Lake home.
$12
Things to Know
This event is for ages 12 and older.
Ample free public parking is available. Enter at Hyatt on Palm Canyon Drive or in the multi-level public garage across from the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Handicap parking is available. This event is wheelchair accessible.
The organizer of this event is Modernism Week.
Event Check-in Location
CAMP Theater, Hyatt Palm Springs, 285 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
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Photo Credits: Escher GuneWardena, Williams Family Archives
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