Paul and Penny Denby's modernist glass mansion, featured on Grand Designs and likened to a university research centre by host Kevin McCloud, is now for sale in Keston Park estate near Orpington, Kent. The six-bedroom home, spanning 6,949 square feet with features like a cinema room and an expansive living area, faced controversy from neighbors during its five-year construction period and initial appearance on the show in 2011. Now listed at £5 million, it highlights the tension between architectural ambition and community expectations.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-27,
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A Grand Designs glass mansion which was derided by neighbours and compared to a 'research centre on some university campus' by show host Kevin McCloud has hit the market for £5million.
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which → see → 5million
Paul and Penny Denby's striking modernist home divided opinion among well-heeled locals when it was built among the mock-period homes of the exclusive Keston Park estate near Orpington, Kent.
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it → divide → Orpington
The glazed contemporary home took five years to be approved by council planners and two complete redesigns, with its architect recalling how furious residents were 'out there with the picks and forks to have a go'.
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residents → take → go
After construction was completed in April 2011, the vast home – containing a cinema room, a library and an enormous six-metre tall living area – was described on the popular Channel 4 show as a curtainless 'Miami art-deco house' by McCloud.
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home → complete → McCloud
He told viewers: 'Some on the estate will feel that the entire house is a mistake, boxed in in the wrong place.
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house → tell → place
The sprawling property six-bedroom detached house over around 6,949 sq ft was the masterplan of Paul and Penny Denby back in 2011 and featured on the Channel 4 show
It was described as a curtainless 'Miami art-deco house' by host Kevin McCloud who said there's certainly a whiff a research centre on some university campus
'
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who → feature → campus
It's anonymity however hides its purposes as a genuine home for Paul and Penny's family.
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anonymity → hide → family
Accountant Paul and Penny demolished the neo-Tudor house they had lived in for almost 20 years to build their dream four-bed home, which they called Sylvan Glade.
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they → demolish → which
However, their ambitious project was beset by problems with the couple running short of money during construction.
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couple → beset → construction
The build, originally budgeted at £1million, eventually cost around £1.6million – with the Denbys needing their fund manager son Mark to step in with a loan after their bank refused to provide the extra cash.
And while the finished house impressed with its huge expanses of glass and sweeping curved interior, McCloud was not entirely won over by its appearance.
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McCloud → budget → appearance
He said: 'Cosy isn't a word to describe the exterior of this house.
'
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Cosy → say → house
The over-complicated grid pattern doesn't do justice to the curvaceous interior and the building just seems too big for the plot.
'This scale and complexity hasn't come cheap.'
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scale → complicate → plot
The six-bedroom detached house offers around 6,949 sq ft of accommodation and is being marketed chain-free.
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house → offer → accommodation
The sales particulars on Rightmove state: 'Sylvan Glade is perfectly suited to buyers seeking a highly design-led home capable of delivering both privacy and entertaining credentials in equal measure.
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Glade → state → measure
'Morning light floods through the extensive glazing, while the open-plan living spaces naturally extend onto landscaped gardens and terraces – ideal for summer gatherings, outdoor dining and relaxed family living.
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spaces → flood → gatherings
The architectural transparency of the home creates constantly shifting natural light throughout the day, while the woodland surroundings provide a unique sense of calm and seclusion rarely found so close to London.
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surroundings → create → London
The property was this month reduced to its present asking price from £5,750,000, according to Rightmove.
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property → reduce → Rightmove
Despite the rows that had accompanied its creation, Penny insisted most residents eventually came around.
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residents → accompany → creation
She said at the time: 'I think the vast majority are happy about it.
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majority → say → it
There are some people who aren't happy about it but they are in the minority.'
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they → be → minority
Keston Park is one of the South East's most desirable private residential enclaves, with gated entrances, CCTV and 24-hour security patrols.
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Accountant Paul and Penny demolished the neo-Tudor house they had lived in for almost 20 years to build their dream four-bed home, which they called Sylvan Glade - but some of their neighbours on the upmarket estate in Orpington, Kent, were initially unimpressed
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some → demolish → Orpington
Former residents have included late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman.
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residents → include → Thatcher
The Rightmove listing adds: 'Featured on Grand Designs, this striking six-bedroom residence has been thoughtfully designed to maximise natural light, with extensive glazing, spacious open-plan living areas and high-quality finishes throughout.
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residence → add → glazing
'The versatile layout includes a self-contained one-bedroom apartment, four bathrooms, a lift serving all floors, underfloor heating throughout and a double garage with three-phase EV charging.
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layout → include → charging
'Set behind secure gated entrances with 24-hour security patrols, the property enjoys a peaceful setting while remaining within easy reach of Locksbottom's amenities and Orpington station, offering fast connections into London.
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property → Set → London
The Aporia
