Eugene Ray

Architect | 1932

Gene Ray, designed a number of projects, including his own Silver Ship residence on Nautilus in La Jolla, as well as teaching in the Environmental Design department at San Diego State.

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.

Partial List of Projects

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

Silver Ship (1978)
Nautilus, La Jolla

*Ray’s personal residence

Taylor Apartments

Unisphere