Mid-town Los Angeles. This property of architect Anthony Thormin featured an automatic kitchen

Untempted by the lure of suburban living in Southern California, architect Anthony Thormin and his wife decided to build a house in mid-town Los Angeles. They found a corner site that was geographically pleasing, but geometrically perplexing. It measured 55' at the front, bowed somewhat toward the middle, then dwindled to 24' at the back. The highest point of the lot was 13' above the lowest. Mr. Thormin, who designed the house himself, says, "To include all the rooms we wanted and still insure privacy for each of them, the house had to be planned to fit the angles of the lot lines and the grades." The Thormins achieved both space and privacy by facing principal rooms on three sides toward an inner terrace. The terrace is screened from the street on the fourth side by a high wall. At the front, the house is one story high, but at the back it is two stories. The lower level is planned for garage, laundry and storage. Because both Mr. and Mrs. Thormin have business careers, their home is designed for servantless housekeeping.

Efficient kitchen, 18' by 11', is planned "with as many automatic devices as we could install." At far end, left, is a storage wall with sink and broad work surface. Looking beyond cabinet island at right. Mrs. Thormin can enjoy a view of the terrace. A second cabinet section at right angles to the range provides a convenient work surface while preparing food. Easy-to-clean materials in the kitchen were considered essential by owners. Walls are covered in yellow ceramic tile, cabinets are gray, and the ceiling is of acoustical tiles in an irregular perforated pattern. The wall clock is part of the decorating motif of colored ornaments secured between tiles. The hood above range is scaled to match room dimensions.

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source: House and Garden Magazine | November 1956