"El Paradiso" 1964 - Raphael Soriano, FAIA, Architect - House Tour - Renovation by Linda Brettler, AIA, Owner/Architect

 

At this link:  Raphael Soriano, FAIA, Architect | El Paradiso, 1964 | Renovation by Linda Brettler, AIA, Architect

Find Linda on Instagram:  Linda Brettler, Architect (@lindabrettlerarchitect) • Instagram photos and videos

" Mar 6, 2026 #ModernArchitecture #RaphaelSoriano #StudioCity

Raphael Soriano | All Aluminum Residence, 1964 Studio City Los Angeles, California Designed in 1964 by Raphael Soriano, this remarkable Studio City residence is believed to be the only all aluminum house of its kind and one of the architect’s most unusual experiments in lightweight modern construction. Soriano was deeply interested in industrial materials, prefabrication, and the possibilities of metal framing. Here, that thinking is taken to an extraordinary level. The house is organized around an exceptionally slender aluminum structural system that allows expansive glass walls, thin roof profiles, and a remarkable sense of transparency. The architecture feels almost weightless. Floor to ceiling glazing creates strong connections between the interior and surrounding landscape, while the single story plan unfolds around a central courtyard that brings light, greenery, and outdoor space directly into the heart of the residence. The current owner has approached the restoration with unusual care, preserving original materials wherever possible while introducing contemporary systems and improvements that support the architecture rather than compete with it. Original Micarta cabinetry and finishes remain important elements of the interior. Terrazzo flooring has been restored and extended into areas where new work was required, creating continuity between historic and contemporary interventions. The kitchen is a particularly revealing example of that approach. Rather than replacing its character with something conventionally new, the renovation preserves the original material language while improving functionality for contemporary use. Storage is integrated throughout the house, often disappearing into walls and cabinetry. Lighting is handled with similar restraint, reinforcing the architecture without overwhelming the thin structural system or transparent spaces. Outside, the landscape has been transformed into a lush and immersive environment that gives the glass house privacy without sacrificing openness. Custom aluminum screens and gates extend Soriano’s material vocabulary into the landscape, while the restored pool, outdoor bar, and courtyard create a sequence of exterior rooms that feel inseparable from the interior. A separate office addition provides another layer of flexibility while remaining visually connected to the original residence. What makes the house especially compelling is the balance between preservation and evolution. The aluminum structure remains unmistakably original. The Micarta, glazing, and cabinetry still tell the story of 1964, while new terrazzo, mechanical systems, lighting, and landscape interventions allow the house to function comfortably today. The result is not a recreation of a Mid Century Modern house. It is the continuation of one. PROPERTY INFORMATION Raphael Soriano Residence 1964 Studio City Los Angeles, California Style Mid Century Modern Structure All Aluminum Construction Layout Single Story Residence Separate Office Addition ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES All Aluminum Structural System Original Micarta Cabinetry Terrazzo Flooring Central Courtyard Floor to Ceiling Glass Custom Aluminum Screens and Gates Integrated Storage Indoor Outdoor Living Restored Pool Outdoor Bar Landscape Integrated Architecture Thank you for your hospitality Linda! @lindabrettlerarchitect Beautifully shot and edited by Orlando Hernandez @pb.mediafilm THE VALUE OF ARCHITECTURE Properties With Design Integrity. @thevalueofarchitecture @markhmendez For more architecture and architect-designed homes for sale in Los Angeles, join the newsletter: https://thevalueofarchitecture.com/jo... Subscribe for more tours of significant architecture, Mid-Century Modern homes, contemporary residences, and architect-designed properties throughout Southern California. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Why This Home Is Unique 03:00 Exterior and Aluminum Design 06:00 Entry Sequence and Landscape 09:00 Courtyard and Indoor Outdoor Living 12:00 Original Aluminum Structure 15:00 Micarta Terrazzo and Restoration Details 18:00 Kitchen Design and Preservation 21:00 Lighting Storage and Hidden Details 24:00 Bedrooms Bathrooms and Private Spaces 27:00 Pool Outdoor Bar and Final Thoughts ARCHITECTURAL KEYWORDS Raphael Soriano, Soriano house, aluminum house, Studio City architecture, Mid Century Modern Los Angeles, all aluminum residence, architectural restoration, Micarta cabinetry, terrazzo flooring, floor to ceiling glass, central courtyard, indoor outdoor living, California modernism, lightweight architecture, modernist house restoration, architect designed homes, Los Angeles architecture #RaphaelSoriano #StudioCity #MidCenturyModern #AluminumHouse #ModernArchitecture #CaliforniaModernism #ArchitecturalRestoration #LosAngelesArchitecture #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ArchitectureTour #DesignIntegrity #TheValueOfArchitecture "