Ray was born in New Orleans, where he earned a master’s in architecture from Tulane University. Relocating to San Diego, Ray served as head of San Diego State University's Environmental Design program as early as 1969. His Silver Ship Studio & Residence (designed 1977-78, and built 1979-80) on Nautilus in La Jolla is a crowning achievement.
Mr. Ray was born in Alabama, in 1932, before his family relocated to Louisiana in 1935. His life was heavily impacted by his UFO sighting in 1947. Another impactful experience was experiencing Frank Lloyd Wright’s published works in 1948.
Graduating from high school in 1952, he first started working in a Baton Rouge architect’s office in 1954. In 1954, the same year of Wright’s passing, Eugene Ray secured his license, his first son was born, and he opened his first office as a solo practitioner. Working closely with Robert Heck, Ray began teaching students at Louisiana State University.
By 1964, Ray had moved to La Jolla and began to work in the office of architect Henry Hester. Drawing alongside Stanley Livingstone – among the projects on the boards was the PSA terminal building for the San Diego airport.
In 1967, Ray returned to Louisiana and built as many as seven projects including a few in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Later that year he interviewed with Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco (at their home in Alvarado Estates) during the process of coming to work at San Diego State College’s Environmental Design program (within the Art department). Ray joined the faculty in 1969.
The architect has been published and/or exhibited in France, Italy, England, Japan, Brazil, Scotland, Mexico, Switzerland as well as here in the US. His work as been included in Domus and A+U, and he has made presentations before the Rudolph Steiner Institute, Aspen Design Conference, Paris Biennale, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and London’s Architecture Association.
Read more on his Silver Ship Residence HERE and HERE. Read Dirk Sutro's interview with him HERE. Go to Eugene Ray's personal site HERE.
16 Residence
Booth Residence (1959)
Chapels
Louisiana
Environmental Chamber
Hospital
Louisiana
Pahlavi Library International Competition
Perrucci Residence
Escondido
Private Residence (1967)
New Orleans
Private Residence (ca. 1985)
Private Residence
243 Bonair, La Jolla
Ray Residence (1959)
Residence with Greenhouse
Retail Store Remodel
SCC Project
Seligman Residence (1964)
Shopping Center
Hollywood 21
The Silver Ship Studio & Residence (designed '77-'78, built '79 -'80)
1699 Nautilus, La Jolla
*Ray’s personal residence
Taylor Apartments
Unisphere
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