Guide to the Lloyd Ruocco Papers
MS 247
Finding aid prepared by Alison Hennessey
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
San Diego History Center Document Collection
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA, 92101
619-232-6203
November 1, 2011
Title: Lloyd Ruocco Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MS 247
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1944-1981
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English, Spanish and German.
Abstract: The Lloyd Ruocco Papers contain materials relating to prominent San Diego Architect Lloyd Ruocco, including some of his professional
portfolios, correspondence, and articles written by and about Ruocco.
creator:
Ruocco, Lloyd
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Alison Hennessey on November 1, 2011.
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous
funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Preferred Citation
Lloyd Ruocco Papers, MS 247, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.
Arrangement
Items in collection are arranged by subject.
Biographical / Historical Notes
Born in Maine to an English mother and Italian father, Lloyd Ruocco (1907- May 10, 1981) eventually became one of San Diego’s
most influential architects. He was raised in Canada and moved to San Diego in 1922. After completing a degree in architecture
at U.C. Berkeley, he returned to San Diego and became known as a “visionary architect” for both his private residences and
his public buildings. He later married Ilse Hamman, a professor of art at San Diego State University who worked with him as
an interior designer. Ruocco’s best-known accomplishments include the Children’s Zoo (1955), the Geophysics Building at the
Scripps Institute of Oceanography (1964), and the Civic Theatre (1965). His office on Fifth Avenue, known as the “Design Center,”
became famous for its unique style that integrated humans and nature. Ruocco also designed numerous homes around San Diego
including his own home completed in 1945 in La Mesa, which he called “Il Cavo.” In 1945 Ruocco co-founded the Allied Artists’
Council, and in 1961 he founded the Citizens’ Coordinate for Century 3, an action group that sought to promote urban design
and aesthetics. In 1974 Ruocco became a fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Lloyd Ruocco was well known for his
ideas of a “kinderpath” town,” which would connect human structures with nature, and of Centre City, an idealized urban center
that would promote the well-being of its residents. Ruocco openly professed his ideas of how modular homes could be the answer
to the problem of tract housing, specifically the ability to grow with a family. Though none of these ideas were ever actualized,
Ruocco’s contributions to San Diego architecture and his charitable works are still recognized throughout the world.
Scope and Content
The Lloyd Ruocco papers contain biographical information, professional portfolios, correspondence from the public, and writings
by and about San Diego architect Lloyd Ruocco. Biographical information includes a brief biography covering the professional
career of Ruocco following his graduation from U.C. Berkeley in 1933 through 1976, as well as a brief timeline of the activities
involved in by both Ruocco and his wife. There are three professional portfolios included in the collection: the first on
the L.Ruocco Architectural Firm associates and projects, including two reference letters; the second created upon the nomination
of Ruocco to become a fellow of the American Institute of Architects; and the third containing information regarding the Rabinowitz
residence designed by Ruocco in 1955. Also included are a number of articles by and about Ruocco, as well as an unpublished
manuscript by Ruocco. Additionally there is much correspondence addressed to Ruocco from the public in response to his views
expressed on a television program in 1960 on the subject of modular homes. Lastly, there are a few items related to Ruocco’s
personal life such as a letter from his lawyer with a Disclaimer attached regarding the Estate of Ruocco’s parents, and also
an invitation to a memorial service in Ruocco’s honor held at the Geophysics Building at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography,
a building he designed.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Accession number 900104 and 2003.074.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
American Institute of Architects.
Fine Arts Gallery of San Diego.
Ruocco, Ilse
Ruocco, Lloyd
San Diego Civic Theatre.
San Diego Zoo.
Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Architecture
Artists
Modular construction
Modular coordination (Architecture)
San Diego (Calif.)
Box-folder 1:1
Biographical information,
1978 and undated
Scope and Content
Brief career biography on Lloyd Ruocco and timeline of activities and involvement (1946-1956) for Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco
Box-folder 1:2
L. Ruocco Architectural Firm portfolio and reference letters,
1961-1964 and undated
Scope and Content
Resumes of Lloyd Ruocco and associates as well as project experience listing and cost details.
Box-folder 1:3
American Institute of Architects Nomination Portfolio,
1978
Includes:
Photographs of select designs by Lloyd Ruocco for the purpose of Ruocco’s nomination for fellowship to the American Institute
of Architects
Box-folder 1:4
Published works,
1960 April-1963
Box-folder 1:5
"City, I am your child... fill me with life" (unpublished manuscript),
undated
Box-folder 1:6
Rabinowitz Project,
1955 January
Scope and Content
Portfolio containing architectural drawings and photographs of the Rabinowitz house project
Box-folder 1:7
Audience response,
1960 April 5-29 and undated
Scope and Content
Mail received by Ruocco from San Diego residents in response to a television program on the subject of his ideas for modular
homes.
Box-folder 1:8
Audience response,
1960 May 1-21 and undated
Scope and Content
Mail received by Ruocco from San Diego residents in response to a television program on the subject of his ideas for modular
homes.
Box-folder 1:9
Magazine and journal articles,
1958 March-1983
Box-folder 1:10
Newspaper articles,
1944 September 17–1981 June 21
Box-folder 1:11
Miscellanea,
1970 March 31–1981 and undated
Includes:
Disclaimer from Lloyd Ruocco’s lawyer regarding the Estate of Raphaele Thomas Ruocco
Invitation to the memorial service for Lloyd Ruocco
Poem by Margaret Price, May 12, 1981
Partial pamphlet for ARTFACTS talk given at the San Diego Fine Arts Gallery
