The Fable…

Alex and Sam are a design-conscious couple in their mid-30s living in an architect-designed Passivhaus in central Leeds with their daughter, Ivy (2). Both work in city-focused, future-looking professions—Alex in digital product design and Sam in urban planning—and chose to build a home that reflects their shared values around sustainability, calm urban living, and long-term quality rather than status or excess.

They enjoy an active but grounded lifestyle. Weekends are spent cycling along the canal, visiting local markets, cooking at home, or taking short train trips into the Yorkshire countryside. They value community and regularly host friends for relaxed meals, with the house designed to support sociable everyday living rather than formal entertaining.

Their Passivhaus is quietly confident in character—efficient, light-filled, and comfortable without drawing attention to its technical performance. Sustainability is embedded as a baseline rather than a feature, with excellent air quality, consistent warmth, and low energy use forming the backdrop to daily family life.

The interior palette is neutral and restrained, creating a sense of calm and continuity throughout the house. Soft off-whites, warm greys, and subtle earthy tones are paired with natural materials, allowing light and texture to define the spaces rather than colour or decoration.

Modern furniture is blended with wood and linen finishes to create warmth and tactility. Clean-lined sofas, built-in joinery, and simple dining furniture sit alongside oak floors, timber details, and linen curtains. The result is a home that feels modern but gentle—functional, uncluttered, and well suited to a young family and a slower, more intentional way of living.