A Vibrant Midcentury-Modern Prefab by Raphael Soriano Seeks $3.3M in L.A.

With floor-to-ceiling windows, colorful interiors, and a sunny backyard pool area, the 1964 Grossman House is the late architect’s first—and only remaining—all-aluminum home.

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Kathryn M.

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If you’re seeking to own a slice of architectural history in Los Angeles, the recently listed Grossman House may be of interest. Located in the popular Studio City neighborhood, the prefab residence was built in 1964 by the renowned midcentury-modern architect Raphael Soriano, and has been celebrated for its brilliant construction ever since.

Dating back to 1964, the aluminum-frame Grossman House features anodized exterior components that don’t need to be painted.

Soriano—who served as an intern for prominent modernist architects Richard Neutra (in 1931) and Rudolph Schindler (in 1934)—designed the dwelling for Albert Grossman, an aluminum contractor. The influential 20th-century architect blended corrugated metal with glass walls to create the low-maintenance property. According to the listing, Grossman adored the finished result so much that he named the house El Paradiso.

Much of the interior is dressed with an easy-to-maintain laminate known as Formica.

With ownership having changed only twice since it was built, the structure features a trove of preserved midcentury charm. In addition to boasting exposed beams and built-ins, the Los Angeles residence also has cork paneling, black terrazzo floors, and a bright-yellow kitchen. Easy-to-maintain Formica wraps the interior surfaces.

The Los Angeles home offers nearly 4,000 square feet of interior space.

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls wrap around a large portion of the residence, sweeping ample natural light inside.

Soriano designed the 3,886-square-foot home to serve as a live/work environment: The entire second floor of the residence is dedicated to an airy in-home office. The lower level houses the primary living areas, all of which open to either a large atrium or the backyard. In total, the dwelling offers three bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as several flexible gathering spaces, including a playroom.

Captivating views of the backyard pool can be seen from various corners of the home.

Black terrazzo tiles line the lower-level floors and contrast with the corrugated metal ceilings.

The backyard presents a resort-like oasis with a swimming pool, outdoor lounge areas, and a garden. Lush vegetation and a bordering fence enhance privacy for residents. The property also includes an attached two-car garage. While the home last sold in 2016 for $2,475,000, it’s now back on the market—this time seeking $3,275,000. Scroll ahead to see more.