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How did I get these photos?

Most of the vintage photos used on this site were given to me by the family of Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco.  They provided me with permission to use these images for this site.  Special thanks to Martha Allen, Charlotte Hamann Brady (Ilse Hamann Ruocco's nieces) and Stephen Ruocco (Lloyd Ruocco's nephew). 

Vintage Project Photos

Design Center

Design Center in 1967 with Wimmer Yamada offices visible on lower floor of main building. Photo Credit: John Oldenkamp

San Diego Childrens Zoo

Ruocco worked with several local artists on the original Children Zoo. This enclosure may have been by Charles Faust Photo Credit: Ernest Braun

Ruocco Residence #1 Il Cavo

"Il Cavo" was built in the years immediately preceding WWII and was the first home that Lloyd designed for himself and his wife Ilse Ruocco Photo Credit: Maynard Parker

1963 SIO IGPP

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Munk Labs Photo Credit: Robert Glasheen

Holmgren La Mesa

Holmgren Residence 1948 Photo Credit: Ed Sievers

Ruocco Residence

Ruocco Residence #2 "Solari" Photo Credit:John Oldenkamp

La Mesa

Jacobson Residence 1949. All steel construction in a circle Photo Credit: Ed Sievers

La Mesa

Johann Residence 1956 Photo Credit: Unknown Courtesy Johann Family

Garden Villas

Kensington Home Design Competition

The design competition that introduced Lloyd Ruooco to Richard Requa.

Lloyd Ruocco

Pictured at right, while at UC Berkeley 1929

Lloyd Ruocco

Ruocco Ranch Santee, CA. 1929

Lloyd Ruocco

Ruocco Ranch Santee, CA. 1931

Lloyd Ruocco

At right at Il Cavo early 1950s.

Lloyd & Ilse Ruocco

At their home "Il Cavo" 1951

Lloyd Ruocco at Design Center

1958

Lloyd Ruocco

Photo from 1967 later used for a mural painting

Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco

Outside of Design Center mid 1970s

Lillie 1958

1958 Lillie Residence La Mesa, CA Garden Courtyard at Living Space Photo Credit: Todd Pitman

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1958 Lillie Residence La Mesa, CA Living Room Photo Credit: Todd Pitman

050110 (1)

1958 Lillie Residence La Mesa, CA Outdoor Foyer with Custom Door by James Hubbell Photo Credit: Todd Pitman

Oldenkamp 074

1954 Ruocco Residence #2 'Solari' San Diego, CA Living Room with Fireplace and Conversation Pit Photo Credit: John Oldenkamp

Oldenkamp 085

1954 Ruocco Residence #2 'Solari' San Diego, CA Dinning Room, note non load bearing walls separated from ceiling with transom glass. Photo Credit: John Oldenkamp

Oldenkamp 092

1954 Ruocco Residence #2 'Solari' San Diego, CA detail of fireplace with conversation pit. wood storage in bench seat Photo Credit: John Oldenkamp

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1953 Prototype Garden Villa Design Balboa Pak San Diego, CA. Disassembled and later repurposed as Ruocco Residence #2 'Solari' Photo Credit:Ed Sievers

1954 Beers (10)

1954 Beers Residence San Diego, CA Construction Photos Photo Credit: Unknown Courtesy Beers Family

1954 Beers (11)

1954 Beers Residence San Diego, CA Construction Photos Photo Credit: Unknown Courtesy Beers Family

1954 Beers (15)

1954 Beers Residence San Diego, CA Construction Photos Photo Credit: Unknown Courtesy Beers Family

1954 Beers (17)

1954 Beers Residence San Diego, CA Construction Photos Photo Credit: Unknown Courtesy Beers Family

Vintage photos of Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco

Design Center

Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco behind the Design Center 1970s Photo: John Oldenkamp

Il Cavo La Mesa CA 1940s

Lloyd Ruocco at Right Photo Credit: Unknown

Ruocco Ranch 1930s

Lloyd Ruocco at family ranch Santee CA Photo Credit: Unknown

UC Berkeley 1920s

Lloyd Ruocco far Right Photo Credit: Unknown

Ruocco Ranch 1920

Lloyd at the family ranch 1920s Santee CA Photo Credit: Unknown

"Il Cavo" La Mesa 1940s

Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco at their first home in La Mesa. This home was demolished in the early 1980s to make way for freeway expansion.. I-125 and I-8 Photo Credit: Ed Sievers

Design Center

Lloyd Ruocco at the Design Center in the 1960s. This image was used to create a mural that was on the stairwell the Design Center. Photo Credit: John Oldenkamp

Design Center

Lloyd Ruocco in bow tie at the Design Center 1959 Photo Credit: Unknown

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