The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
The history of African American architects practicing in Los Angeles cannot be separated from the more comprehensive history of the African American experience in Los Angeles. As a consequence, this tour goes beyond the work of architects and includes significant landmarks, including both the built environment and the cultural/social experiences of African Americans in Los Angeles. Achieving success in the profession of architecture is difficult. Overlaying this condition with the prejudices of the 20th century makes the success of a number of African American architects all the more remarkable. These tours will include the work of three African American architects: Paul Williams, James Garrott and Robert Kennard. Tour HD3 will concentrate on their work in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Tour FD5 will combine work carried out in South Central LA and in the LAX / Westchester areas of Los Angeles. Paul Revere Williams (1894-1980) is the best known African American architect to practice in Los Angeles and perhaps in the entire country. He was the first African American registered architect west of the Mississippi and the first African American architect member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams designed over 2000 homes and became known as the “architect to the Hollywood stars” - Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Lon Chaney, Barbara Stanwyck and Danny Thomas. He designed many public buildings, but that with the highest profile and visibility is the Theme Building at LAX, in association with Pereira & Luckman in 1961. Although Williams may be the best known, he was not the only African American architect who practiced in Los Angeles. Virtually all of them worked for Williams in their early careers, including Ralph Vaughn, Lestor Bankhead and Roy Sealey. James Homer Garrott (1899-1991) began his architectural career with historic revival designs as exemplified in the first Golden State Mutual Insurance headquarters (Williams designed the second) in 1928. He developed into a respected modernist following the end of the Second World War as a result of his enrollment in the University of Southern California School of Architecture and his friendship with Gregory Ain. He was a member of an informal progressive-minded group that included Neutra, Eames, Julius Shulman and Garret Eckbo. Robert Alexander Kennard (1920-1995) was a graduate of the University of Southern California, worked for Robert Alexander in 1957 before founding his own firm. His firm designed more than 700 projects in Southern California, including projects at the Los Angeles International Airport, the University of California San Diego, Carson City Hall and Civic Center, a trauma center for Los Angeles County's Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center and the 77th Street Regional Police Facility for the city of Los Angeles. Norma Merrick Sklarek (1926-2012) distinguished herself by overcoming not only racial but gender prejudice. She spent two decades at Gruen Associates, the Los Angeles firm known for designing large shopping malls, and rose to head the architecture department. Known for her skill at managing complex undertakings, she later was a project director at Welton Becket Associates in Santa Monica and the Jerde Partnership in Venice before becoming a partner in the firm Seigel Sklarek Diamond (see tour HD4).
