On a site located just outside of Tewin in East Hertfordshire, and within the Green Belt, Marjoram Architects were commissioned to design a new five bedroom family home. The new house, which is to replace the existing five bedroom dwelling on the site, creates a contemporary yet sympathetic response to the green and open site. Sited within the northwest corner of the site, the new dwelling is oriented to create a strong connection to the green belt and existing garden. Occupying a more southern location than the existing house facilitates the creation of a new arrival courtyard and covered cloister which leads into the new double height entrance arrangement. Internally, dramatic double height spaces with connecting bridge and feature staircase link the ground and first floor. Open plan living space, spanning east to west, at ground and first floor creates a full width connection to the garden, with terraces on the upper level framing views across the fields beyond. At first floor generous bedrooms, with en-suites and private terraces surround the open plan entertaining space. The building is articulated with generously proportioned fenestration which provide excellent daylight and views into the very different four corners of the site. Solar gain and the potential for overheating has been carefully considered and has influenced the massing/form of the dwelling. The slim roof profile on the south facade projects forward to create a substantial canopy to reduce overheating during summer months. While at ground floor a projecting zinc clad surround provides the necessary solar shading to the heavily glazed façade at this level. The proposed material palette takes reference from the existing and surrounding context, using earthy and traditional materials alongside more contemporary materials in a sympathetic and complementary manner. The main external building material is a light coloured brick which responds to the vernacular of render or brick construction within the vicinity of the site. Roman brick is proposed to achieve a high quality and contemporary finish whilst being sympathetic to its immediate context. Different brick bonding is used to create definition and detail within the façade. Charred timber cladding is proposed to areas of the façade with the sole aim of creating a visually pleasing intervention that is complementary to the brickwork and sympathetic to the heavily wooded site.