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James Birrell Papers
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James Birrell Architectural Drawings

Architectural drawings by James Birrell from his time as a student at Melbourne University, as a fourth year student in 1950 and fifth year in 1951. Drawings from work with the Commonwealth Department of Works in Melbourne (1948-1951, and 1954), Canberra (1952-1953); and Darwin (1954-1955). Drawings of buildings designed by Birrell while employed as an Architect in charge of the drawing office at the Brisbane City Council (1955-1961). Drawings designed by Birrell while employed as the University Architect for the University of Queensland (1 July 1961 to approx. 30 March 1966). Drawings done for buildings which were private commissions (1948-1966). Drawings while practicing in his firm, James Birrell and Partners (1966-1970) as well as drawings for buildings that were not built.

From his book A life in Architecture : Beyond the ugliness, James Birrell notes on pages 71-72 "The University was vested as property of the State Government and came under the control of the Co-Ordinator General of Public Works. The university was thus a tenant of the Co-Ordinator General who had control over all work".

Birrell, James, 1928-

Student work of James Birrell

Student work of James Birrell while studying at Melbourne University , as a fourth year student in 1950 and fifth year in 1951. Includes: Living quarters for old people ; Lighthouse and coastguard station ; St Judes Church of England, Carlton, Victoria ; Multistory city building ; Factory Unit ; Dairy buildings on a farm at Nar Nar Goon ; Streatham District Hospital ; City Bus Terminal ; Collins Street premises for a diamond dealer ; Road sign at the Haymarket ; Post office building, North Essendon ; Tomorrows house ; Open air theatre ; Himalayan trade bridge ; Sketchbook of notable architecture in Britain and France.

Birrell, James, 1928-

Commonwealth. Department of Works

Birrell worked for the Commonwealth Works Department in Melbourne, Canberra and Darwin. There are 25 jobs represented in this subseries.

Birrell, James, 1928-

Commonwealth Department of Works. Darwin

16 jobs with 71 plans. Drawings: ABC Commentators Box, Gardens Oval, Darwin, 1954 ; Legislative Council Chamber, Darwin 1954 ; Proposed Shopping & Community Centre, Fannie Bay 1954 ; Katherine School extensions, 1954 ; Aeradio and Meteorological Office, Alice Springs, 1954 ; Extensions, Outpatients Dept. Darwin Hospital, 1954 ; Single Teacher Primary School, 1955 ; Tourist Camp Toilet Block, Alice Springs, 1955 ; Native Ward, Katherine Hospital, 1955 ; Pre-school Centre, Darwin, 1956 ; N.T.A - Tennant Creek School additional classroom, 1955 ; Midwifery Block, Tenants Creek Hospital, 1954 ; Bus Passenger Shelter, Darwin ; Primary Schools, Cupboards etc in classrooms ; Bilateral Secondary School, Darwin, 1955 ; Native Hospital, Alice Springs.

Birrell, James, 1928-

Job E9 Biological Marine Research Station, Heron Island

Comprises 16 drawings from Mar to Nov 1973 for Job E9 Biological Marine Research Station, Heron Island. These drawings were undertaken by James Birrell & Partners. Drawings include: working drawings for proposed laboratory block at Heron Island for Roche Products (10 drawings); working drawings for proposed cabins (4) at Heron Island for the University of Queensland (Affiliated with the Great Barrier Reef Committee) (5 drawings); and working drawing for workshop and fuel store.

James Birrell and Partners

Commonwealth Department of Works. Melbourne

Drawings drawn by Birrell: [Item 1] New Post Office, Scotsdale, Tasmania 1948 ; [Item 2] Royal Visit 1952 Decorations ; [Item 3] Project No. 582. Section Office Bld. No. 61 ; [Item 4] Commonwealth Serum Laboratory, Parkville, Victoria 1954.

Birrell, James, 1928-

Commonwealth Department of Works. Canberra

5 jobs with 24 plans. Drawings: Canberra Repertory Theatre undated ; Childcare Centre and Women’s Rest Rooms, Kingston 1952 ; Griffith Infant School, Canberra, 1953 ; High School, Acton, ACT 1953 ; Housing for sloping sites, 1958.

Birrell, James, 1928-

University Colleges, Townsville and Mt Gravatt

In 1957, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Queensland, Professor James Douglas Story, proposed a regional university college be established. This desire came to fruition on 27 February 1961 when the University College of Townsville was opened. This college became the James Cook University of North Queensland on 29 April 1970 and is now known as James Cook University.

In 1965 430 acres of bushland was set aside for a new campus in Brisbane's south in the suburb Nathan. Initially this was to be a University college of the University of Queensland but by September 1971 it was established as Griffith University.

Birrell was asked by the Co-Ordinator General of the Public Works to draw up plans for both colleges. The majority of these plans have the title block for the University of Queensland and James Birrell as the UQ Architect. This subseries contains plans for the University Colleges, Townsville (22 plans) and Mt Gravatt (23 plans).

Birrell, James, 1928-

University Institution, Mount Gravatt

University Institution, Mount Gravatt drawings include: Land slope diagram (1966) ; Landscape elements ; Adjoining land uses and main approaches ; Traffic scheme ; Main service routes ; Geological structure (1966) ; Topographical sections ; Land use pattern ; Immediate development (1966) ; Aerial photograph of site for second University Institution ; Site plan ; Immediate development plan (1966) ; Adjoining land uses and main approaches (colour) ; Landscape elements ; Main service routes ; Topographical sections ; Contour map ; Proposed Mt. Gravatt University and Technical College sites / prepared by the Topographic Branch, Survey Office, Brisbane (1965).

Birrell, James, 1928-

Dental School, University of Queensland

The University of Queensland Faculty of Dentistry was formed in 1935 and was located at various locations throughout the city including Turbot Street. In the early 1960s there was a desire to have the Dental School transferred from its location in Turbot Street to the St. Lucia campus with Birrell writing a report in favour of this is in 1964. However the Australian Universities Commission did not support this idea. Rather they offered money to extend the Turbot Street facilities and to use space within the Physiology Building to house preclinical training. The new dental school at St. Lucia campus was not built.

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