The 1951 Stillman House, designed by architect Marcel Breuer, was the trigger for a whole generation of modernist homes in Litchfield, Connecticut.

Prior to Breuer’s Bauhaus-influenced structure, American colonial-style architecture had dominated the town. But the Hungarian-born architect’s signature blend of glass, natural materials and bold colour injections set a new precedent in leafy Litchfield. Houses by the likes of Richard Neutra, John Johansen, Richard Neutra and Edward Durell Stone soon sprung up in the neighbourhood.

But the nine-bedroom, 3,200 sq ft Stillman House stands apart, particularly with perks that include a poolside mural designed by artist Alexander Calder and another inside by Xanti Schawinsky. The pool also features a concrete diving platform that takes a similar shape to the canopy Breuer designed for the Whitney Museum.

Inside the main residence, a sunken living area is embedded into the slope. The adjoining guest house doubles as a studio space.

Rufus and Leslie Stillman, who commissioned Breuer to design this home 65 years ago, were so impressed with his work they asked him to create another two houses in Litchfield.

The Stillman House is available for $2.495 million (£1.6 million) via Klemm Real Estate.