About Us - Modular Designs

Our story

I spent 25 years designing, manufacturing and supplying kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. I loved the creative process; and finding innovative solutions to the issues my clients wanted to address.

Howard Klein, founder of Modular Designs

When time came for me to sell my showroom in 2016, and take life a bit easier, I decided to design and construct a garden room to work from. With my wife running a successful day-care centre from our home, I needed peace and quiet. My challenge was to create a space using modern methods and materials, so I visited an exhibition called Ecobuild to look for inspiration and innovative new ideas. I was successful!

To build my garden room, I used SIPs, double-glazing, bi-fold doors, an EPDM roof and piling technology. Within a week of building my room, several nursery parents asked me about it. They loved it and wanted to know if I could build one for them. My new business was born.

Around this time, I started thinking about a family friend’s son who was in a coma, tragically, aged only 30. He was cooped up in a home 45 miles from his family and friends, and his parents were increasingly dismayed at the level of care he was getting. I designed a garden home for him, so his parents could take care of him around the clock.

Together with my team, we’ve built garden rooms, glass box extensions and lodges around London, Hertfordshire and Scotland. We handle the whole process for you, from helping you decide how you want to use your space, to doing the drawings, planning, build and fit. I still love the creative process and get a real buzz from helping my clients maximise their space thanks to my ideas.

Why choose us?

Honest, reliable and professional and, we have the creativity and experience you need to make the most out of your space. Just let us know how you want to use your space and we’ll solve your problem for you in the very best way possible.

Who we work for

We create new homes, extensions and garden rooms for private houses and hospitality businesses including restaurants, cafes and outdoor tourist destinations.

What is Modular Construction?

Before we put pen to paper, we’ll talk to you about why you need more space and what you want to use it for.

Then, we’ll draw up plans which detail your construction – from the insulation panels we’ll use, to the layout, external appearance, internal decoration and fit out.

Your project will be led by your personal site project manager who will manage your project seamlessly and will be your day-to-day contact.

In some cases, one week before your installation date, we’ll send our team to prepare the foundations for your new garden room.

Using our piling system and heavy-duty street fame, your building will be made on the sturdiest of supports. This stage will take two – five days, depending on the size of your building. We can then work with you on decorating and fitting out your space to your exact specification.

What are SIPs?

To build your garden room, we’ll use cutting-edge structural insulated panel technology, known as SIPs. SIPs are building panels which consist of a layer of insulation material between two layers of structure. They’re a flexible way to create strong, truss-free, air tight structures which reduce sound and have very low wastage costs. They also have very low U-values which means they are fantastic insulators.

When creating your space, as well as traditional foundations, we have a screw piling system that goes straight into the earth. After this we add timber or steel frame before constructing your building using SIPs.

SIPs come in numerous external finishes, so your garden room or glass box extension can have the look and feel you want. Using SIPs, you’ll have no need to dig deep foundations, will save at least 30% on normal building time, cut labour costs and save up to 60% on annual energy costs.

What our clients say

Howard and his team go above and beyond to provide a personal service and a high quality product and finish.
Cheryl Lever

We were looking for a purpose built garden gym for me and my teenage sons, and a yoga space for my wife. The room sits 30 metres from the back of our house and is very complementary to the garden … … we now have a room that all the family use.
Joerg Stuebler

We’ve used Howard back in 2013 for bespoke fitted furniture and chose to commission him again after completing an extension recently as he works closely with you from design to build and always ensures the job is completed to a quality finish.
Jonathan Foo

I was introduced to Howard Klein at Modular Designs and took his advice on what would be the most efficient and comfortable solution. A garden room seemed the perfect solution.
Sean Jowell