Mid-Century Modern (Keller II House) by Lloyd Ruocco in Mission Hills, San Diego
The home: Reaching the market for the third time since it was designed by the master’s hand in 1947, the Keller Residence features floor-to-ceiling glass throughout - including Fleetwood sliding glass walls, quartz countertops and high-end contemporary kitchen appliances. From terrazzo and pearl porcelain tile in the amazing bathrooms, to wood and (original) concrete flooring in the public spaces, you will enjoy the indoor surfaces as much as the outdoor Ipe wood decking hosts your year-round entertaining and view-gazing.
The architect: Born in 1907 and arriving in San Diego in the early 20’s,philosopher architect Lloyd Pietrantonio Ruocco (d. 1981) immersed himself, as a very young man, within the architectural community that thrived in San Diego in the early part of the last century. His first position was as a draftsman in the offices of Richard Requa. Here Ruocco was exposed to the Mediterranean styles that had become immensely popular throughout Southern California. At work in Requa’s office and prior to his graduation from San Diego High School, Ruocco would develop a sensitive respect for siting and specifically the built environments relationship to the outdoors.
Following his graduation from U.C. Berkeley, he would return to San Diego and work within the offices of Requa Jackson as well as William Templeton Johnson. Along the way he would assist on the 1935 Panama Exposition, County Administration Building as well as the master plan for the community of Rancho Santa Fe under the supervision of his high school drafting instructor Lillian Rice.
Growing increasingly dissatisfied with the rehashed revival styles that prevailed through the thirties, Ruocco opened his own offices in hopes of bringing a more modern style of architecture to San Diego. He along with his wife Ilse Hammon Ruocco, an interior designer and artist, would go on to become San Diego’s pioneering post-war modernists. Designing well over 100 projects throughout San Diego County, Lloyd is responsible for several projects that are considered by many, to be some of the area’s best examples of the period.
Universally respected as one of San Diego’s fathers of the post war modern architectural movement, Ruocco was equally devoted to the art community as well as the city itself. His ultimate goal was to better the lives of the people of San Diego through his tireless efforts to promote and encourage art, architecture and design; many would say that he achieved his goal. Instrumental in founding several community design organizations, Citizens Coordinate for Century 3, Allied Artists and Allied Craftsmen. Lloyd Ruocco laid the foundation for architects, artists and designers to come.
Read more from the source: ModernSan Diego.com