Matthew Westley on Getting into Architecture (2025)

As summer is here, students enter a new chapter in their educational journeys. Matthew Westley, Associate at Howells shares his experience entering the field of architecture. 

How do you stand out from the crowd?
Is a strong portfolio really enough?
Does getting good grades guarantee a job? 

These were the questions I found myself asking after graduating from university in 2011. The UK was still feeling the effects of the 2008 financial crash – the economy was down, and architecture jobs were scarce. My peers and I were finding ourselves stuck with no prospect at finding a job, many ended up going straight into their Master’s and Part 2 instead. 

This was the reality when I moved back to Birmingham after graduation, in search of my first architecture job. It often felt impossible. I had no professional experience and no personal contacts in any major practices. I knew I needed to try something different to get my foot in the door. 

My passion for architecture began in art class during my A-levels. Our teachers introduced us to the work of local artists such as Reuben Colley. He captured unique perspectives of Birmingham, of places like Spaghetti Junction and Digbeth. We would recreate their styles using our own photographs of the city. 

Another big influence was skateboarding. I wasn’t especially talented at it, but it got me out and about on weekends. Through skating with friends, I started seeing the city differently – noticing how spaces were used, how they changed, and how the built environment evolved. That curiosity grew into something more. I took up photography and began capturing buildings under construction, sharing them on SkyscraperCity – a large online community of architecture and development enthusiasts, with forums for nearly every city. It’s still a great place to learn about upcoming projects and sharing ideas. 

Looking back, I thought I knew what made a good building…in reality I had a lot to learn! 

When the time came to job hunting, social media was exploding. Twitter had become a powerful new way to connect directly with people and companies in a way that wasn’t possible before. This platform felt like a door had opened to a whole new world, where I could express myself creatively. Back then, it was a much friendlier space, full of supportive and like-minded individuals. 

Blogging was still popular, though slightly overshadowed by the rise of other platforms like Twitter and Instagram. While some of my peers built websites, I chose to use Blogger as a way to document my thoughts about the city whilst I was struggling to find a job. I had some pretty quirky ideas like imagining Spaghetti Junction towering over Colmore Row, or visualising Birmingham with underground stations. 

I got involved in local campaigns, like the effort to save Island House – a beautiful old building near Hotel La Tour. I went as far as drawing a proposal showing how it could be retained alongside HS2 and even presented it as an objection to the planning committee. What was I thinking, did I actually believe I could persuade the committee?! Sadly, it was demolished to make way for the Digbeth metro extension, but I still believe it would’ve been a great asset to the area. 

Thanks to these creative efforts, I landed my first architecture job in the city centre — starting three days a week and eventually moving to full time. What a relief! The messages of congratulations I received online really made a difference. It finally felt like all my hard work had paid off, and I was ready to start learning about the realities of being an architect. That first role provided an excellent introduction to the profession, and soon after, I joined a larger practice that offered a wider variety of exciting projects both within the city and beyond. While building an online presence was important in the beginning, being visible and confident in person is just as essential for developing a career in architecture. Conversations with people can often lead to valuable insights, and sometimes even unexpected job opportunities. 

Fast forward to today, art and photography continue to shape my work. Traveling has been a way to learn from the architecture and urban spaces that work well in different parts of the world. I am inspired by the diverse countries and cities I’ve explored over the years, always looking for ways to adapt and apply these insights to my own projects. Sometimes it’s a bold concept. Other times a small detail – either can bring a project to life in unexpected and exciting ways. 

This year, it’s a real privilege to now lead the Birmingham Architecture Association that has supported and celebrated the architectural community for over 150 years. It’s fantastic to work with a new generation of architects and designers emerging from practices across Birmingham, with people who are thinking critically about design quality, sustainability, retention, and diversity. It’s a real testament to the direction our city is heading. We’ve got some exciting things lined up including a number of talks and building tour, of projects recently completed in Birmingham. If you have a keen interest in architecture, we’d love to hear from you — feel free to get in touch! Thanks for reading!