ABOUT | Wagtail Architects

About Us

Wagtail Architects is a Birmingham-based practice designing spaces that feel good to live and work in. Led by a fully qualified, Chartered Architect, we bring technical expertise and sector-specific insight to homes and veterinary environments alike. Whether it’s a dream home or a purpose-built clinic, our designs are rooted in empathy, practicality and a touch of joy. We help clients to create places that support wellbeing, flow and everyday life. From first ideas to final details, we make the journey clear, creative and rewarding.

Wagtail Architects takes its name from the Wagtail, a small, lively bird often seen in gardens and riversides. It’s a symbol of movement, joy, and everyday life — values that inspire our design philosophy!

Olivia Firth, founder of Wagtail Architects is a Chartered Architect with a focus on thoughtful design, technical expertise and a client-first approach.

Olivia founded Wagtail Architects in 2025 to offer a more personal kind of architecture, one that’s rooted in listening, collaboration, and integrity. With over ten years of architectural experience she has found a niche in work for veterinary practices, alongside this she continues to provide architectural services for homeowners looking to improve their homes. Olivia brings a rich understanding of how spaces shape everyday life, and how good design can support practicality, efficiency, and joy.

Olivia is capable of navigating brief development, concept design, planning, building regulations and technical detailing. She is also experienced in working as CDM and Building Regulations Principal Designer and specialises in guiding clients through each of these stages to reach their desired outcome.

At Wagtail Architects Olivia personally leads and delivers every project. Clients aren’t passed between team members or junior staff; instead, they have direct access to her throughout, ensuring consistency, clear communication, and a high standard of client care.

Outside of work, Olivia lives in Bournville with her husband and two young children. She very much enjoys being out in nature with her family who are part of her motivation to start Wagtail Architects and her drive to build a practice that values empathy, flexibility and connection.

If you’re looking for an architect who listens, leads with integrity, and designs with purpose, Olivia would love to hear from you.

BA(Hons), MArch, PgDip, RIBA

Olivia Firth

Olivia's Education & Experience

2022 - 2025

Project Architect
DJD Architects, Worcester

After qualifying as an Architect Olivia joined DJD Architects as a Project Architect. Working with national veterinary groups this is where she gained her veterinary expertise working with veterinary practices to fit out commercial units, expand and provide CT scanners up and down the country. Olivia kept up to date with current legislation and took on the role of Project Safety Lead where she helped the practice to stay up to date with the new Building Safety Act.

2020

Architectural Practice Pg.Dip.
Birmingham School of Architecture
Birmingham City University

Whilst working at Baily Garner LLP Olivia completed a postgraduate diploma in professional practice in 2020, this allowed her to join the Architect's Registration Board and become a Chartered Architect with the Royal Institute of British Architects. The course focuses on the legal, contractual and financial aspects of Architectural Practice, it is often considered to be the equivalent of an MBA for the architectural profession.

2019-2022

Project Team Leader
Baily Garner LLP, Bir

After completing her postgraduate degree Olivia worked for Baily Garner LLP, a fast paced multi disciplinary construction consultancy. She quickly progressed through the ranks beginning as an Architectural Assistant and progressing to Project Team Leader where she co-ordinated and ran multidisciplinary teams across multiple sectors including education, blue light and housing. She worked alongside the company's senior partners to steer the business during the COVID 19 pandemic and set the groundwork for re-opening the London and Birmingham offices.

2017 - 2022

Self - Employed

Architectural Designer

Alongside her postgraduate degree Olivia undertook work on a self-employed basis and continued to do so during her time at Baily Garner LLP. She was the architectural designer on a number of projects in Bournville Village Trust and Bromsgrove, examples of this work are showcased as built projects today.

2017-2019

Architecture M.Arch

Birmingham School of Architecture

Birmingham City University

Olivia completed a postgraduate diploma in professional practice in 2020, this allowed her to join the Architect's Registration Board and become a Chartered Architect with the Royal Institute of British Architects. The course focuses on the legal, contractual and financial aspects of Architectural Practice, it is often considered to be the equivalent of an MBA for the architectural profession. Olivia excelled in this and completed the course faster than any of her fellow students.

2014 - 2017

Architectural Assistant

Troy Kidsley Architecture

Whilst undertaking her undergraduate degree Olivia also worked at Troy Kidsley Architecture, a small Architectural Practice in Bromsgrove which undertook small scale commercial, residential and heritage projects. Olivia worked on Architectural Projects in Bromsgrove, Barnt Green and Worcester. The experience she gained working with Troy was invaluable and she still keeps in touch with him to this day.

2013-2016

Architecture BA (Hons)
Oxford School of Architecture

Oxford Brookes University

Olivia studied for her undergraduate degree at the Oxford School of Architecture. Oxford is a very special place to study architecture, with its historical features, great student life and close links to London. Olivia was awarded the Reginald Cave Travel Scholarship for her research based in Iceland which looked at how people live, work and organise themselves in geographically challenging environments.