William Hamilton Arthur IV, AIA, NCARB represents the third generation of a distinguished architectural legacy deeply rooted in Coral Gables. Born to a mother raised in the City Beautiful itself, Arthur’s connection to the area runs as deep as the limestone beneath its historic streets. His grandfather began practicing in the city in 1949 alongside renowned Miami Modern (MiMo) architect Igor B. Polevitzky, FAIA, establishing a foundation that would shape the younger Arthur’s architectural philosophy and career trajectory.

A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned the School’s AIA Henry Adams Gold Medal in 2011, Arthur combines formal training in Urban and Regional Planning, Historic Preservation, and Latin American Studies. His preservation expertise was honed under the mentorship of Dr. Janet Mathews, former State Historic Preservation Officer and Associate Director for Cultural Resources of the National Park Service.

Arthur’s practice, WHAA, which he founded in 2015, has become a cornerstone of architectural preservation and innovation in Coral Gables. His firm has completed over 100 projects within the city limits alone, with approximately 60% of their work focusing on historic or aged structures exceeding fifty years. This specialization in historic restoration often involves complex quasi-judicial proceedings, demonstrating Arthur’s unique ability to navigate both architectural design and regulatory frameworks.

His approach to architecture reflects a deep understanding of South Florida’s architectural heritage, particularly evident in his work with Robin Parker, son of mid-century architect Alfred Browning Parker. This connection, combined with his grandfather’s influence and the mentorship of prominent architects like Alfonso Perez-Mendez, AIA, Guy Peterson FAIA, and Allan Shulman, FAIA, has shaped his distinctive design philosophy that emphasizes cultural sensitivity and historical mindfulness.

In 2008, Arthur’s innovative research on passive cooling systems earned recognition from the U.S. Treasury Department, leading to a special travel license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control. This unique opportunity allowed him to participate in three Urban Planning Charrettes in Havana, Cuba, between 2008 and 2011, where he studied pre-air conditioning architectural techniques that continue to influence his environmentally conscious designs in Coral Gables.

Today, WHAA maintains an impressive portfolio of 63-72 active projects at any given time, with Arthur leading the firm’s commitment to efficient, environmentally and culturally-sensible design solutions. His work in Coral Gables exemplifies the harmonious blend of historic preservation and modern functionality, continuing a family legacy of architectural excellence while forging new paths in sustainable and culturally responsive design.

Beyond his architectural practice, Arthur brings a unique perspective to his work through his background as a fourth-generation FAA-certified pilot, operating a historic 1946 Giuseppe M. Bellanca wood and fabric monoplane. This appreciation for historical craftsmanship and engineering excellence mirrors his approach to architectural preservation and innovation in Coral Gables.