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.

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.

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.

While working as University Architect for the University of Queensland, the Co-Ordinator General of the Department of Public Works asked Birrell to design the campus plan for the The University College of Townsville. The College, to be an extension college of University of Queensland, was opened in February 1961. Birrell designed several of its early buildings between 1964 and 1970. The plans in this subseries are from after Birrell resigned as University of Queensland Architect. There are plans for Stages 1 and 2 of the Humanities building, including some plans by contractors or plans designed collaboratively. Stage 1 has 7 drawings. Stage 2 has 1 volume (21 drawings) and 59 architectural drawings.

The Co-Ordinator General of State Works originally gave the commission for the University of Queensland Agriculture and Entomology Building (known as Hartley Teakle Building) to Fred Scorer of the firm Scorer and Scorer on 17 March 1966. After Fred Scorer's untimely death in 1966, James Birrell purchased the Scorer and Scorer firm as part of setting up his own practice. He resigned as University Architect in late March 1966. The Co-Ordinator General approved Birrell taking over the commission for the Agriculture and Entomology Building. James Birrell and Partners were the architects for the building. The site chosen for the building was to the north-west of the Great Court on the western side of Mill road. The glass houses and veterinary buildings were built. Mayne Hall, now the UQ Art Museum and the Biological Science Library and Refect were not yet built. Front Drive still ran along the front of Main Building (now Forgan Smith).

The Agriculture and Entomology Building was designed to follow the site contours, was a 'c-shaped plan' and was designed to be built in three separate stages. Each stage was designed to be complete within themselves. Stage 1 was completed in February 1969; Stage 2 in May 1970; and Stage 3 in December 1970.

The subseries consists of plans for the Agriculture and Entomology Building, Stages 1-3, on the University of Queensland St. Lucia campus. It contains preliminary drawings by James Birrell as the University Architect and Master plans by Scorer and Scorer. Stage 1 : Job B7. Stage 2 : Job B7A; Stage 3 : Job B7B. Includes: site plan, floor plans, drainage plans, elevations, sections, roof details, site works, sun control details, window details, stair details, furniture details, seminar rooms, teaching rooms, administrative rooms, staff room details, student rooms, door schedules, perspectives, preliminary plans. Engineering plans Job 3092, 3378, 3398. Electrical engineer Job 1217. Mechanical engineer Job 2040.

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".

The construction of Stage II commenced in May 1965 and was presumably completed before the start of first term in 1966. 1 volume of 7 drawings, with cover page, held together metal staples. From cover page creators are James Birrell & Partners (Architect) and Antony Tod (Consulting Structural Engineer). All drawings are dated March 1966. Drawings all have the number 1712, followed by a running sheet number from 1 to 7.

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.

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.

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.