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.

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".

5 folders of incoming and outgoing personal correspondence, some on business letterhead or written as University Architect. This file includes notes, architectural drawings, handwritten architectural table of works Birrell was involved in, photographs, reports, school results, itineraries, blueprints, taxation and medical correspondence. Most likely professional or business material in these folders has been retained as they have been regarded as more personal in nature. Decanted from large folders. Colour postcard of Centenary Pool is in first folder.

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

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.

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.

15 jobs with 38 plans from private practice, domestic work and competitions before Birrell started working as the University Architect at the University of Queensland. Drawings:
[Item 1] 'Brick Veneer Residence for Mr. J. P. Birrell'; Perspective and Floor plan; on Pascoe Vale Road ; ink line drawing with colour on paper ; undated ; 41 x 37 cm (previously numbered A6.01).
[Item 2] 'Brick Veneer Residence at Pascoe Vale West for Mr & Mrs J.P. Birrell 43 Greville St. Essendon' ; Elevations, Sections, Block plan, Plan ; ink line drawing with colour on paper, undated ; 26 x 48 cm (previously numbered A6.02).
[Item 3] 'Brick Veneer Residence at Pascoe Vale West for Mr & Mrs. J.P. Birrell 43 Greville St. Essendon' ; Blueprint with Elevations, Sections, Block plan, Plan ; ink line drawing on paper ; undated; 26 x 48 cm (previously numbered A6.03).
[Item 4] 'Residence for Mr J.P. Birrell at 23 Pascoe Vale Road, Pascoe Vales' ; Working drawing with Elevations, Sections, Block plan, Plan ; ink line drawing on paper ; 2 Nov 1949 ; 28 x 45 cm (previously numbered A6.04).
[Item 5] 'Residence for Mr. J. Blackie' ; Perspective and Floor plan ; ink line drawing on paper ; 1950 ; 33 x 51 cm (previously numbered A6.05).
[Item 6] 'Residence at Moreland for Mr. J. Blackie, 68 Rathmines Street, Fairfield' ; Elevations, Sections, Block plan, Ground plan ; ink line drawing on paper ; undated ; pencil annotations and stamp of Coburg City Council on back of plan ; 30 x 51 cm (previously numbered A6.06).
[Item 7] 'Brick veneer residence Oliver's Hill, Frankston, Victoria for Mr & Mrs C. Lycett' ; working drawing with Elevations, Sections, Block plan, Ground floor plan, 1st floor plan ; ink line drawing on paper ; Sep 1951 ; 37 x 58 cm (previously numbered A6.07).
[Item 8] 'House at Warrandyte' ; Perspectives ; ink line drawing with colour on paper ; 1951 ; 54 x 41 cm (previously numbered A6.08).
[Item 9] 'House at Warrandyte' ; Elevation, Location plan, Site selection, Plan ; ink line drawing with colour on paper ; Dec 1951 ; 54 x 41 cm (previously numbered A6.09).
[Item 10] 'House at Keilor East, Victoria for Mr Bryan A. Clemsen' ; Perspective ; ink line drawing on tracing paper ; Apr 1952? ; 30 x 40 cm (previously numbered A6.10).
[Item 11] 'Residence for Mr & Mrs S. Rowe at Rosanna, Vic.'; Perspective, Floor plan ; ink line drawing on tracing paper ; Oct 1955 ; 29 x 58 cm (previously numbered A6.11).
[Item 12] 'Civic Centre Canberra Development Scheme 1956' ; ink line drawing on paper ; 1956 ; 66 x 89 cm (previously numbered A6.12).
[Item 13] 'Farm Residence Mt Gravatt' ; Floor plan and Elevation ; ink line drawing on paper ; 1957 ; 46 x 50 cm (previously numbered A6.13).
[Items 14-18] 'Industrial Administration and Research Centre : The Robert and Ada Haddon Travelling Scholarship of the R.V.E.A. : "Cold"' ; Set of 4 sheets : Sheet 1, Sheet 2A, Sheet 2B ,Sheet 3 and Sheet 4 ; ink line drawings on paper ; 1958 ; 61 x 91 cm (previously numbered A6.14-A6.18).
[Item 19] 'The Robert & Ada Haddon Scholarship 'Cold' ; Site plan ; ink line drawing on paper ; 1958 ; 50 x 68 cm (previously numbered A6.19)
[Item 20] 'Bachelor house for H. Gallagher, Esq., at Woodfield Road, Kenmore' ; Working drawing ; blueprint ; Sep 1960 ; 50 x 73 cm (previously numbered A6.20)
[Item 21] 'Residence at Kenmore for H. Gallagher, Lot 42 Sunrise Hills Estate' ; Details ; blueprint ; 6 Sep 1960 ; 50 x 73 cm (previously numbered A6.21)
[Item 22] 'Residence Mr. & Mrs. J P Birrell' ; Elevations, Sections, Foundation plan, Ground floor plan, Site plan, Details ; ink line drawing on paper ; 1961 ; 49 x 76 cm (previously numbered A6.22).
[Items 23-24] 'Brick Residence Mr & Mrs S Rowe at Rosanna, Victoria' ; [Item 23] is a Working Drawing and [Item 24] is for Details ; ink line drawings on tracing paper ; undated ; approx. 25 x 56 cm (previously numbered A6.23 and A6.24).
[Items 25-29] 'Residence for Mr & Mrs J P Birrell, at 12th Ave., St Lucia' ; ink line drawings on tracing paper ; undated ; 73 x 106 cm (previously numbered A6.25-A6.29).
[Items 30-38] 'New State Hospital DOHA' ; Sheet numbers 1, 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 6-9 ; ink line drawings on paper ; undated ; 107 x 72 cm (previously numbered A6.30-A6.37, one unnumbered).

Correspondence, research material, prints, photographs, slides and negatives relating to the biography of Walter Burley Griffin that was written by James Birrell. The book was published in 1964 by University of Queensland Press.

Articles, biographies of Walter Burley Griffin (by Birrell and others), thesis (about Griffin), book reviews by Birrell, poems (author unidentified), and typescript material.

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.