[5] His father was a practical draftsman during this period and taught evening classes in elementary, mechanical, and architectural drawing at Hyde Park High School.

[8] To further develop his skills, Killam noted how he visited numerous job sites because that was then "the only way to find out, for instance, how to support a terracotta cornice or how to do flashing.

He valued this experience and spent countless hours examining plans in architectural and engineering offices, copying details and specification provisions.

Killam stated that his interest covered the whole field of architecture:[9] From the cheapest to the most expensive buildings, from wooden houses in Alabama, Minnesota, and the Gaspé Peninsula, from the bottom of deep foundations in Detroit and New York, and to the top of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the Empire State Building.In 1900, Killam was awarded second prize in the Boston Society of Architects Rotch Travelling Scholarship, and traveled throughout Europe studying architecture.

[10] While at the firm, Killam also entered various design competitions such as for the new Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) building in Hyde Park.

[11] In 1908, Killam left Peabody & Stearns to begin his academic career as an instructor in architectural construction and engineering at Harvard University.

[4][12][13] Despite the challenges of the ongoing war and dwindling enrollment, Killam sought to carry forward Warren's principles while placing greater emphasis on construction.

[1] While serving as Acting Dean, Killam described Harvard's position on the necessity of courses in history and the fine arts, that the architects of the country should have a broad cultural training before they begin their technical studies.

"[1] He defined the principal function of the architect of the time as "to plan and direct the execution of building projects so as to produce convenient, safe, economical and durable enclosures for our manifold activities.

In his "Resistance of Materials and Elementary Structural Design" course, Killam demanded that his students gain a sound knowledge of construction by learning how to derive formulae from theory and how to create their own tables and handbooks.

As early as 1916, Killam lectured at the Cambridge School of Architectural and Landscape Design for Women, which his colleagues Henry Atherton Frost and Bremer Whidden Pond had founded less than a year earlier.

[5][20] Throughout his tenure as professor emeritus, Killam continued to work as consultant on architecture and played a key role in the drafting of building and zoning codes.

[1][4] In addition to his academic career, Killam was an active member of his community, taking on numerous responsibilities and roles within the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Killam was actively involved in matters of building and zoning codes, tenement-house legislation, city planning, unemployment relief, and low-cost housing.

[26] Additionally, he served as a member, secretary, president, and chairman of the Cambridge Planning Board, where he contributed to the development of the city and played a crucial role in shaping its growth.

"[28] He also took an active part in drafting the city's new zoning ordinance and was adamantly opposed to the construction of a bridge at Dartmouth street crossing over the Charles River.

"[35] During his trip, Killam interviewed notable city leaders such as Harold Hitz Burton, Daniel Hoan, and Charles Phelps Taft II.

He suggested that instead of investing in underground parking areas or highway developments, it would be more beneficial and cost-effective to focus on expanding the city's rapid transit facilities.

He believed that such housing projects should prioritize the improvement of living conditions for many people in the future, rather than providing extravagant accommodations for a select few.

He also contended that land should not be overly restricted for development to facilitate slum clearances, and subsidies for low-cost housing projects should be economically feasible.

[5] In the early 20th century, Killam designed several residential houses around New England with architects Henry Atherton Frost and Bremer Whidden Pond.

[52] In 1925, in preparation for the Harvard Business School's expansion, Killam and architecture student Harry J. Korslund designed a 177-seat, horseshoe-shaped classroom with 6-inch tiers that would support the case method of teaching.

[53][54] On several occasions between 1932 and 1935, Killam was contracted to advise and perform extensive restoration and structural strengthening work at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate in Virginia.

[55] In correspondence with the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, which considered him a "renowned structural expert,"[56] Killam noted that "too much emphasis has been placed upon keeping the externals looking like a prosperous modern estate and too little care and money have been spent in thorough repairs and strengthening.

Vernon is the most precious private house in the country and every precaution for its preservation should be worked out carefully.Killam's work included examining the mansion's structural stress and installing necessary reinforcements, termite-proofing the outer walls with copper, and placing steel beams in the mansion's basement to reinforce its structure which "remain strong and reliable today.

In addition he also weatherproofed the structure by adding flashing, protective coatings, and weatherstripping as well as installing windows and doors in the originally open arches.

She was the youngest daughter of Henry Joshua Whittemore, a music teacher at Hyde Park High School,[70][d] and Esther Miranda Goodwin.

[5] Killam was a prolific and assiduous writer of numerous articles published in professional journals, academic magazines, and periodicals, and authored several texts on architectural construction.

[7] Some of his notable published articles, works, and reports include: Throughout his academic and professional career, Killam held various positions of leadership and served on numerous boards and committees.

The Massachusetts State Association of Architects awarded Killam with their Certificate of Honor in 1946 and wrote the following about him:[5][71] Architect, engineer, and educator, whose wise, resourceful, energetic teaching and practical experience gave to the greater advantage of the student the principles of sound architectural engineering and construction; who by his writing and courageous participation in public and architectural affairs, has inspired the confidence and respect of the profession.Throughout his life, Killam was member of numerous clubs, associations, societies, and institutes both academic and professional in nature.