Architect Paul Devrouax Passes

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington, D.C. Convention Center’
courtesy of ‘NCinDC’

Architect Paul S. Devrouax, JR., FAIA passed away earlier today of causes not yet known.

Devrouax was the founding principal of Devrouax and Purnell Architects, a DC-based architecture firm that was established in 1978 and was the creative genius behind well-known city projects such as Nationals Park, the Convention Center, and the City Museum.

Samantha can often be found daydreaming by the Rothkos of the East Gallery, sketching store facades along 14th, and snapping photos with her vintage polaroid at 9:30 club concerts. Since moving to DC in 2007 to get an MFA in Interior Design, her eyes can’t seem to be peeled away from the beautiful things in this city. Send any visual art, architecture, or design related news her way via Samantha (at) WeLoveDC.com

9 thoughts on “Architect Paul Devrouax Passes

  1. he was definitely an interesting character in the dc architecture world and he will be missed. but i don’t think he was really the “creative genius” behind those projects. if i’m not mistaken, devrouax + purnell typically are the architects of record for most of their notable projects, not the design architects.

  2. Paul Devrouax will be missed. May he rest in Peace. The firm devrouax+purnell will continue striving as they have been. They are the creative genius in the above listed projects not just the architects of record. The unsung designer of the firm has done many wonderful projects.

  3. Thank you for the inquiry, however, I am pretty sure that the firm was the design architects behind the projects as well. I will look into this more though, and I appreciate you pointing it out for me dubs.

    Furthermore, when mentioning “creative genius” I was referencing the firm as a whole, not just Devrouax – because Marshall Purnell was quite the partner in his own right. Additionally, it can’t be overlooked that it takes an entire team to make projects of this scale really happen. Perhaps I could have clarified this statement better.

  4. Oh I see your pretty sure,? No I know that the designs came from the firm. Knowing the designer personally and seeing the original sketches across his desk. Yes it is true that the firm mostly is hired as architect of record, however clients are quickly won over for the design solutions. It is interesting though, that you would automatically doubt. I wonder why. when you check your facts, call around and ask people don’t rely on the internet.

  5. My response was mostly for the first commenter, who suggested that the firm was typically only the architects of record. I did my research and stand by my original posting. Clearly we agreed from the start.

  6. Paul Devrouax will remain very special to me. I worked for him when he just started Paul Devrouax Associates; it had just changed from Stansberry Devrouax. I remember the day he had the Paul Devrouax Associates plaque installed in the basement off on 19th Street off Dupont Circle. Paul gave me a chance when others would not.

    I remember the days before Marshall arrived when, as a recent graduate from Howard, Paul assigned me multiple projects and multiple tasks. I remember the day D&P got their first big break for what was called the Municipal Office Building, now called the Reeves Center.

    I am happy that I had a chance to tell him years ago what it mean to me. I will always be grateful as I am stunned at this moment.

    E. Bland

  7. I worked for Devrouax & Purnell for approx. 10 years, and I’m so very greatful for the experience. It felt as though I was working along side family (and I have never been able to say that about any other company/firm I’ve worked for since). I can still hear Paul’s hearty laugh when he and Marshall had some inside conversation and/or joke going on. I can hear him yelling my name from his office (especially the day the pipes burst in his office). You guys don’t know how much easier you made my transition from Chicago to DC.

    I’m still stunned beyond belief, and I know Paul will be miss deeply. To Brenda, Leslie, and the D&P family my heart grieves with you, and you have my deepest sympathy.

  8. I had the pleasure of meeting Paul about ten years ago what would be known as his “Cheers” after work hours. He was fun loving, and the man had jokes. I will miss Paul as many others will and the home that would be known as his “Cheers” will miss him as well.

    To the Devrouax family I extend my heartfelt sympathy.

    May he rest in peace.

  9. One of my first project upon moving to the metropolitan DC area was videotaping Leslie’s designs for her entrance to my Alma mater, Syracuse University. I had met Brenda at an event I was contracted to tape and she invited me to meet with her and Paul to discuss the project. Being new to the area and not knowing what to expect especially after having experienced a very costly financial business loss, I didn’t expect much. But after hearty conversation, I knew that doing this job to assist his daughter was an honor to serve a wonderful family. We shot the video in his offices and Leslie a perfectionist seemed very pleased with mom and dad beaming over their daughters work. Years later I was able to connect with an architect who started with Paul, Marc Doswell who grew up with me and was a good friend at Syracuse Univ. God Bless to the Devrouax family. Agape, Regge