| Paul A. Goettelmann | |
| Nationality: | United States |
| Birth Date: | 5 May 1907 |
| Birth Place: | Bellevue, Kentucky |
| Death Place: | Silver Spring, Maryland |
| Practice: | Murphy & Locraft; Thomas H. Locraft & Associates; Thomas H. Locraft Associates; Goettelmann & Xepapas |
| Awards: | Fellow of the American Institute of Architects |
Paul A. Goettelmann (May 5, 1907 – September 16, 1976) was an American architect and architectural educator. He was in practice in Washington, D.C. from 1954 to 1976 and was head of the Catholic University School of Architecture and Planning from 1959 to 1974.
Paul Auguste Goettelmann was born May 5, 1907, in Bellevue, Kentucky to Fernand Camille Goettelmann and Germaine Helene (Schirr) Goettelmann. He was educated at the Catholic University of America (CUA), graduating with a BS in Architecture in 1929 and a MA in architecture in 1930. He further earned a PhD in architecture in 1933.[1] He then joined architects Murphy & Olmsted, the practice of Frederick V. Murphy, head of CUA architecture. This became Murphy & Locraft in 1938 and in 1954, when Murphy retired, Goettelmann became Locraft's partner.[2]
In 1957 the firm became Thomas H. Locraft & Associates and in 1959, after Locraft died, it became Thomas H. Locraft Associates, with Goettelmann as senior partner. In 1964 Locraft Associates was divided into two firms, with Goettelmann forming Goettelmann & Xepapas with Anargyros N. Xepapas and his associates forming Allard & Joutz. Xepapas moved to Daytona Beach, Florida in 1970, but Goettelmann continued practicing under the name of Goettelmann & Xepapas until his death in 1976.[1]
Goettelmann began teaching at CUA in 1935. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1940, associate professor in 1949 and professor in 1959 when he was appointed to succeed Locraft as head of the architecture department. In 1965, when the department was made a school of the university, he became its associate dean.[1] He retired from that position in 1974 but continued to teach until his death.[3]
Goettelmann joined the American Institute of Architects in 1942 as a member of the Washington chapter. He served as chapter president for 1950–51.[3] In 1964 he was elected a Fellow. That same year he was awarded the Benemerenti medal by Pope Paul VI and in 1967 was awarded the Navy Meritorious Public Service Award.[1]
Goettelmann was married in 1930 to Emma Helene Laufenberg. They had three children, one son and two daughters, and lived in Silver Spring.[1] He died September 16, 1976, at the age of 69.[3]