Architectural drawings of residential and commercial buildings, job files, incoming and outgoing correspondence, photographs and research material for his book on Walter Burley Griffin. Includes plans by Scorer and Scorer which Birrell obtained when he purchased the firm in 1966. The architectural drawings in this collection include those from his student days, his time with the Commonwealth Department of Works, the Brisbane City Council, the University of Queensland (as University Architect), and his private practices. Drawings for buildings not constructed are also in this collection.

Unbuilt works by James Birrell:
[File 1] Queensland Art Gallery: drawings for Queensland Gallery of Modern Art; undated; 6 plans, 4 board drawings, 2 sketches.
[File 2] Museum of Victoria, Carlton: architectural design competition; undated; 8 plans.
[Item 3] Unidentified building, east and north elevation, undated.
[File 4] Parliament House, Canberra: undated; 16 plans.
[File 5] Parliament House, Darwin: undated; 8 plans.
[File 6] Koki Market Development scheme: undated; 16 plans, 1 aerial photograph in folder.
[Item 7] Original concept for M.S.C. chamber forecourt; undated; 1 plan.
[Item 8] Perspective from Edward St., Brisbane, of proposed building for Development Underwriters Pty Ltd: undated; 1 sketch.
[File 9] Master Plan Kingston Foreshore Development, Canberra, competition of ideas: undated; 4 sketches.
[Item 10] Proposed Commercial Centre, Waigaini, Papua New Guinea: undated; 1 sketch.
[Item 11] Proposed Coral Sea Hotel for steamships Trading Co. at Champion Parade, Port Moresby: 1969; 1 sketch.
[Item 12] Ten cluster patio houses for Centaurie Pty Limited at Drane Street, Clayfield, QLD.: 1970; undated; 1 sketch.
[Item 13] Proposed office building, Boundary St., Spring Hill, Brisbane: 1968 ; 1 plan.
[Item 14] Perspective Kyamba Court Units, Bundilla Lakes, Mooloolaba for Alfred Grant Pty Ltd.: 1972, 1 sketch plan on transparency.
[File 15] Notional scheme Siar Island Resort Hotel: 1972 ; 2 sketches.
[File 16] Proposed residence at Boulder Valley Farm, Upper Brookfield, Brisbane for Neil and Merle Thornton: 1973 ; 2 plans.
[File 17] Proposed Local Government Association building, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: 1975 ; 3 plans.
[Item 18] Papua New Guinea National Computer Centre at Waigani. Perspective from east: 1975 ; 1 sketch.
[Item 19] PNG Banking Corporation. Arawa Branch: 1977 ; 1 sketch.
[Item 20] Proposed branch at Kimbe for Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation: 1977 ; 1 plan.
[File] 21] PNG Parliament House competition: 1978 ; 6 plans.
[File] 22] Sunshine Coast C.O.T.A. Technology complex: 1978 ; 12 plans.

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".

Architectural drawing, ink line drawing on tracing paper for new tutors flat to Stage 1 of Union College, dated 11 Mar 1975. This would be an addition to stage one of the College, not part of the initial Stage 1 construction. Unsure if this was built.

36 drawings for the Library at James Cook University; some with University of Queensland in the Title block; some with James Birrell and Partners; various titles; dated between 1966 and 1974 and undated; no drawing/job numbers.

Additional architectural drawings for various stages of Union College:
[Items 1-4] Job no. D14/F1 to D14/F4; Aug, Oct, Nov 1972; D14/F3 has previous number A15.99 which is a duplicate number).
[Item 5] Signboard detail.
[Items 6-8] B22A/1 to B22A/3; (previously numbered A15.152-154).
[Items 9-11] 'Proposed demountable clothes line for Union College (previously numbered A15.155-157).
[Item 12] 'Union College - New benches'; (previously numbered A15.159).
Item 13] 'Amendment to bathroom in vice wardens flat at Union College'; (previously numbered A15.161).
[Items 14-15] 'Garages for Union College', 2 May 1969, (previously numbered A15.162-163).
Item 16] 'Site and floor plan', 14 Nov 1973, (no prior numbering).
[Item 17] Drawing no. 3475-1 'Union College - squash courts', Aug 1970, (no prior numbering).
[Item 18] 'Proposed flats in lieu of existing bedrooms at Union College, James Birrell (Teneriffe), 18 Oct 1974, (no prior numbering).

1 volume (24 pages) with 23 plans; Aug/Sep 1974; sequentially numbered S1 to S24; Architect - James Birrell and Partners; Consulting Structural Engineer - Antony Tod and Partners; Drawing index and general notes on sheet no. S1; previously held together with metal paper binders.

1 volume (13 plans); undated; sequentially numbered T106/E1-T106/E8 and T106/F1-T106/F5; Architect - James Birrell and Partners (Brisbane and Port Moresby); Consulting Mechanical and Electrical Engineers - P.R. Scott & Associates; previously held together with metal staples.

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.

The construction of Stage 5 commenced in Jan 1973 and was completed Mar 1974. This file has the sketch plans for stage five of Union College. From the title block creator is James Birrell & Partners (Architects and Town Planners). All are ink line drawings on tracing paper. The drawings are:
[Item 1] 'Sketch plan floor levels r.l. 74'0" & r.l. 83'0"', no job/sheet number, Sep 1972 (previously numbered A15.223).
[Item 2] 'Sketch plan floor levels r.l. 92'0"', no job/sheet number, Sep 1972 (previously numbered A15.224).
[Item 3] 'Sketch plan floor levels r.l. 74'0" & r.l. 83'0"', no job/sheet number, Mar 1973 (previously numbered A15.225).
[Item 4] 'Sketch plan floor levels r.l. 92'0"', no job/sheet number, Mar 1973 (previously numbered A15.226).