Built by hand.
Designed for life.
We're a team of craftspeople, architects, and garden obsessives. Every pod we make is an act of care.
How it started — and why we're still here
In 2015, two joiners — James Whitfield and his business partner — were finishing a renovation on a Victorian terrace in Birmingham when the homeowner showed them a garden building company's catalogue. James's reaction was immediate: "We could build something so much better than this."
So they did. The first Tainhaus was installed in a south-facing Worcestershire garden in the autumn of 2015. It was a simple design — 3×4m, Siberian Larch cladding, triple-glazed doors — but every neighbour who saw it wanted one.
Nearly a decade on, we've installed over 2,400 pods across the UK. Our team has grown to 38 people. But the ethos hasn't changed: we build every pod as if it's for someone we care about, because most of the time, it is.
What we stand for
Craftsmanship first
Every pod that leaves our workshop is built by hand by certified joiners with a minimum 10 years' experience. We've never outsourced a single structural element.
Nature, respected
FSC-certified timber. Carbon-neutral manufacturing. Sedum roof options that support pollinators. We build in gardens — we take that responsibility seriously.
For every chapter of life
A pod isn't just a product — it's a space that changes with you. We design for the 28-year-old starting their career and the 72-year-old rediscovering their creativity.
Obsessive quality
We use fewer SKUs than our competitors because we'd rather do fewer things perfectly than many things adequately. Every material, every joint, every finish is chosen deliberately.
Our journey
2015
Founded in Birmingham by two joiners with a shared obsession
2017
Opened our Worcestershire workshop — still our home today
2019
500th pod installed. FSC certification achieved.
2021
Launched The Zenith — our first curved-roof wellness pod
2023
Carbon-neutral manufacturing certified. 1,500 pods installed.
2024
Launched The Nordic sauna range. 2,000+ happy homeowners.
Meet the team
38 people. One shared belief: that a great outdoor space can transform how you live.
James Whitfield
Co-founder & Head of Design
A qualified joiner with 20 years of experience in high-end residential construction. James obsesses over material selection and structural integrity.
Sarah Chen
Co-founder & Operations Director
Formerly in sustainable construction consultancy, Sarah leads our supply chain, installation teams, and our commitment to sustainability.
Tom Okafor
Lead Architect & Product Designer
Tom brings an architectural rigour to every new product line, ensuring our pods sit beautifully in gardens of every style and era.
Built for now.
Responsible for tomorrow.
Every piece of timber we use carries FSC certification — meaning it was harvested from a forest managed for the long-term health of the ecosystem, not stripped for short-term gain.
In 2023, we became certified carbon-neutral across our manufacturing operations through a combination of energy efficiency improvements and investment in accredited UK woodland planting projects.
Our SIP panel construction delivers insulation values that exceed current UK building regulations — which means your pod costs less to heat and uses less energy across its lifetime.
Ready to create your space?
Browse our collection or book a free consultation with our team.