02/08/2025
From Classic Cars to Contemporary Design!
Our office has a rich history — for over 30 years, it was home to Mr Peter Boost’s classic car workshop, where generations of beautiful vehicles were lovingly serviced and restored.
I first met Mr Boost as a teenager, on my first visit to Whitstable. I’d just stepped off the train when I spotted a stunning old Jaguar parked out front with the bonnet up. Mr Boost was busy finishing up a job, and as I walked past, I asked if I could take a closer look at the dashboard — a beautifully handcrafted wooden dash with vintage gauges. He kindly invited me to sit inside and even start the engine. It was both an honour and a pleasure to meet such a warm-hearted gentleman.
Little did I know that years later, I’d end up buying the building.
When Hay Architects took it on, we wanted to honour its industrial past while making it our own. We reused the beautifully weathered cedar fins from the Estuary View project to sensitively and sustainably upgrade the exterior — subtle, understated, and true to the site’s character.
Inside, we fully refurbished the space with exposed surface-mounted electrics on lacquered OSB and ply, robust green materials, and industrial finishes — a respectful nod to its mechanical heritage by a fabric first philosophy. The result is a unique, characterful, and functional studio that reflects who we are as a practice with six work stations, meeting/dining space, and a further rear extension for an additional six workstations and second wetroom planned for this winter, following our recent purchase of more land to the rear of the studio.
The transformation was completed for just £53,000 — a credit to the hard work and creativity of the Hay Architects team.
📍 Visits are strictly by appointment only — but if you're local and curious, we’re always happy to share the story.
📞 Call 07530 275509
📧 Email [email protected]
We specialise in difficult and sensitive planning, and are expert at sustainable and modern construction techniques.
We’re here for all things architecture, from master planning to domestic projects.
Hay Architects — thinking beyond the bale.
