A striking-looking singlestorey structure over basement, all rooms have a wall of glass opening into a central courtyard and in its day the property would have represented something very different in terms of architecture. In fact the house was listed as a protected structure last year by South Dublin County Council.

?My uncle Joachim Schurmann designed it for my parents and it was our family home, " says Moritz Schurmann, a jeweller and goldsmith, and just one of many artists in the family. His mother was the German-born sculptor Gerda Fromel, who died tragically at 44, although she had already completed a massive body of work by that time, including pieces for the Setanta Centre in Dublin, the RTC in Galway, and stained glass for Kildare Cathedral, and churches in Cologne and Wuppertal.

Moritz's brother Killian is a glass-artist, and brother Oliver is a well-known gardener.

But it is their uncle Joachim Schurmann who is probably best known throughout Europe. Such is Professor Schurmann's reputation, having designed the Salzburg Bus & Rail Station, the extension to the Bonn Parliament Buildings, and St Martin's Collegiate Church in Cologne, that South Dublin County Council decided Newhouse had to be preserved at all costs.

?Newhouse is the only piece of Joachim's work in Ireland, although he is famous throughout Germany, Austria and the former East for his modernist architecture.

This is one of the main reasons why it has been listed, " explains Moritz, adding that when it was first built in 1964, Newhouse did indeed generate quite a bit of curiosity.

Set on a 2.5-acre sloping corner site with views over the city, Newhouse is surrounded by large gardens, which include some pieces of Gerda's sculpture. The property, which is quite close to Rathfarnham Golf Club, is expected to draw quite a bit of interest, and selling agents at HOK Residential have set an AMV of 1.75m for the house and land, which are due to go under the hammer next month.

A substantial home of 279sq m (3000sq ft), Newhouse is typical modernist-style. There is a lot of emphasis on light, and the house has a spartan but functional feel to it. Devoid of decorative plasterwork and elaborate features, the house has a very simple, uncluttered look, which while it may not suit everyone, it is certainly easy on the eye.

Accommodation includes an entrance hall, a large living room cum kitchen/dining area, a utility room, guest WC, five bedrooms, one dressing room and two bathrooms.

Also incorporated into the house is the spacious art studio, where Gerda worked, along with basement storage of 84sq m (910sq ft).

The main living area is 32ft by 16ft, and has a complete wall of glazed sliding doors which can be pushed back to give the impression that the living area runs smoothly into the outdoors. The combination of simple white walls, extensive glazing and timber flooring make this a bright and practical space, which is divided into a comfortable living room at one end, and into a kitchen/dining area at the other. A Belfast sink and some wooden units are fitted along one wall, allowing for a spacious dining area as well.

Bedrooms are all decentsized doubles and future owners could convert one of these into a second reception room if needed. All walls are painted white and timber flooring runs throughout.

Although in good condition and well-cared for, the property, like most homes over 40 years old, needs some refurbishment and upgrading.

Newhouse has oil-fired central heating, a septic tank, and mains and fresh water from a well.

Professor Schurmann and his wife Margot currently live in Cologne, where they run their architecture practice.

Mostly dealing with institutions and banks, they are famous for designing buildings that are more approachable and often less imposing than the organisations who inhabit them.

Price: AMV 1.75 million (auction 16 May) Agent: HOK Residential, (01) 4967017