Paul R. Williams' Legacy and Contemporary Design Books Addressing Racial Inclusion

The article highlights architect Paul Revere Williams, who gained prominence in 1940s Los Angeles designing homes for celebrities while also advocating for accessible housing through his 1945 book 'The Small Home of Tomorrow.' Williams, the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects, faced racial discrimination, including sketching upside down to avoid discomforting white clients. His career, which included over 3,000 projects for clients like Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball, raises questions about how racial inclusion might have shaped design. In recognition of Black History Month, the piece features several contemporary books addressing diversity in design. Kevin Bethune's 'Reimagining Design' and 'Nonlinear' explore his experiences as a Black professional in corporate America. Charlene Prempeh's 'Now You See Me' surveys a century of Black design across multiple disciplines. Kaleena Sales' 'Centered' presents essays and interviews on design diversity. Omari Souza's 'Design Against Racism' advocates for restorative design practices. Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall's 'Decolonizing Design' offers a framework for moving beyond colonial design foundations. The article also includes podcast recommendations and additional design news items.