Paul Rudolph designed the Walker Guest House in Florida as his riposte to Mies van der Rohe’s iconic Farnsworth House. Now the unique Sanibel Island property is on the market for $6.795m.

The 1952 modernist home was Rudolph’s first solo commission after splitting with practice partner Ralph Twitchell. It was conceived as an adaptable 576 sq ft pavilion that ‘crouches like a spider in the sand,’ said the Sarasota School architect. Large shutters are controlled by a rigging system – similar to the sails of a boat and weighted by red cannonballs – that opens the island home up to the elements.

The Florida property sits atop a 1.7-acre beachfront plot and is being sold alongside a three-bedroom principal residence. Ted Benjamin of VIP Realty has the listing.

Read next:  Bumper-sized Neutra house lists for $4.1m in Los Angeles