La Concha Motel signage – La Concha Motel

Paul Revere Williams was not only an architect and an artist, but also a visionary who was deeply committed to furthering social progress through his craft. Williams was engaged in several public housing projects, including Carver Park and Berkley Square, located in Las Vegas area. Both projects were designed to accommodate African American families during the era of segregation in Las Vegas, at a time when the city was described as the “Mississippi of the West.”

William’s pursuit of equity through his art was not limited to just Las Vegas. Amidst harsh racial tensions in the South, St. Jude Children’s Hospital opened in 1962, in Memphis, Tennessee. Its founder Danny Thomas was firm in his belief that all children, no matter their background or race, deserved a fighting chance and asked Williams for “groundbreaking” help. Williams proudly donated the design of the organization’s original building. Williams employed his architectural expertise across projects as a powerful tool for social activism, earning him the title of the “Architect of Hope.”

Williams brought more than 3,000 diverse buildings to life, among them the iconic Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which stands out as a bold statement of futurist iconography. In Las Vegas, his work includes The Guardian Angel Cathedral, the aesthetic of which has inspired the architectural team behind the upcoming Las Vegas Museum of Art. Once located on the Strip, Williams’ La Concha Motel lobby’s design evokes the form of a seashell. This visual identity was featured on utility objects from matchbooks and ashtrays to bars of soap. This iconic design is also reflected on the base of the La Concha sign, outlined with skeletal neon to ensure it can be easily read day or night. The “M-O-T” lettering would have risen from the top of this base, standing over 80-feet tall.

Paul Revere Williams retired from practice in 1973, with his legacy in the field of architecture recognized widely. He died on January 23, 1980. He firmly believed that architecture and design could—and should—be forces for positive social change. In 2017, Williams was awarded the American Institute of Architects highest honor, the AIA Gold Medal.