Printer's typescript, galley proofs, and page proofs of James Birrell's biography of Walter Burley Griffin, published in 1964 by the University of Queensland Press.

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".

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.

The Geology Annex, the Chemistry Annexe and the Western Arts Building were part of a master planning concept. They shared the structural and construction concept developed by Birrell and Antony Tod (structural engineer). None of the proposals were built.

Main Library was part of the Great Court buildings designed by Hennessy and Hennessy in 1935-1936. It consisted of two floors with a glass ceiling in the light well in the centre. Main Building was designed to be extended with an additional three floors, with high ceilings and a large light well in the centre. When the Library had insufficient space for students and books it was decided to go ahead with the extension of three more floors, as specified by Hennessy and Hennessy. Birrell proposed five additional floors instead of the three, the installation of passenger lifts, fluorescent lighting, and air-conditioning. Birrell was responsible for the internal arrangement and finishes. This file comprises 15 plans for alterations and additions to Main Library. Includes: sketch of lower ground floor (now Level 1), working drawings for 1st to 5th floors (now Level 3 to Level 7), stair details and compactus shelving.

Main Library was later known as Undergraduate Library; with the construction of Central Library in 1971 its name was changed to Duhig Building; and later, around 2000, to Duhig Tower.

10 plans, ink line drawings on tracing paper, for renovations to Main Building (now known as Forgan Smith Building). Stage 1 comprises 5 drawings for the Law and the Thomas Thatcher Memorial Libraries with drawing numbers A1/54 to A1/58, dated Aug to Sep 1965. The Thatcher Library, established in 1948, provided services for distance education and closed in 1993. Stage 2 comprises 3 drawings for the area between the Library and Arts entrance with drawing numbers A1/59 to A1/61. There is a plan for the Language laboratory which has no job number or details in title block. The final plan is Job A1/32 Proposed mezzanine floor to printery (Library basement): Architectural plan, ink line drawing on tracing paper, 38 x 70 cm; title block has University Architect J.P. Birrell; Job/drawing number A1/32; no date.

The Shapcott press was on the lower ground floor of Main Library. During the extension to Main Library there was discussion that the printery could be housed on the bottom floor of the Main Building. This last plan seems to reflect that idea. When Main Library was extended the Printery was moved to the Industrial Centre Building, located on the corner of Services Road and Hood Street.

James Birrell was given the brief by the Union College Council to design new accommodation for students. This file has pilot plans and sketches for the College. Drawings:
[Item 1] Job I Union College - St. Lucia - Pilot plan only, ink line drawing on tracing paper, topographical lines drawn in red pen, drawing number I/1, title block with J.P. Birrell as University Architect, July 1963 (previously numbered A15.01) ;
[Item 2] Job I Union College - St. Lucia - Pilot plan only, ink line drawing on paper, with pencil annotations, drawing number I/1, title block with J.P. Birrell as University Architect, July 1963 (previously numbered A15.02) ;
[Item 3] Job I Union College - Uplands Road St. Lucia - Thumb-nail perspective pilot planning scheme, ink line drawing on tracing paper, drawing number I/2, title block with J.P. Birrell as University Architect, July 1963 (previously numbered A15.03) ;
[Items 4 - 9] Sketch plans, ink and pencil line drawings on tracing paper, no title block, no job/drawing number (previously numbered A15.04 to A15.05 and A15.07 to A15.10. A15.06 missing)

Thirteen plans with the title Sketch plan of Union College in title block and J.P. Birrell as University Architect. All except one are dated October 1963. The last plan has the date December 1964. Comprises:
[Item 1] 'Typical section thru stairwell', ink line drawing on tracing paper, job/drawing number i/3 (previously numbered A15.11) ;
[Item 2] 'Typical section thru stairwell', ink line drawing with colour on paper, job/drawing number i/3 (previously numbered A15.12) ;
[Item 3] 'Ground floor plan and elevations', ink line drawing on tracing paper with pencil annotations, job/drawing number i/4 (previously numbered A15.13) ;
[Item 4] 'Ground floor plan and elevations', ink line drawing with colour on paper, job/drawing number i/4 (previously numbered A15.14) ;
[Item 5] 'Typical residential floor plan and elevation', ink line drawing on tracing paper, job/drawing number i/5 (previously numbered A15.15) ;
[Item 6] 'Typical residential floor plan and elevation', ink line drawing with colour on paper, job/drawing number i/5 (previously numbered A15.16) ;
[Item 7] 'Roof plan and elevation', ink line drawing on tracing paper, job/drawing number i/6 (previously numbered A15.17) ;
[Item 8] 'Roof plan and elevation', ink line drawing with colour on paper, job/drawing number i/6 (previously numbered A15.18) ;
[Item 9] 'Perspectives from outside', ink line drawing with colour on paper, job/drawing number i/7 (previously numbered A15.19) ;
[Item 10] 'Perspectives from outside', ink line drawing with colour on paper, job/drawing number i/7 (previously numbered A15.20) ;
[Item 11] 'Perspectives of inside', ink line drawing on tracing paper, job/drawing number i/8 (previously numbered A15.21) ;
[Item 12] 'Perspectives of inside', ink line drawing with colour on paper, job/drawing number i/8 (previously numbered A15.22) ; and
[Item 13] 'Perspectives for common and dining rooms', ink line drawing on tracing paper, job/drawing number i/9 (previously numbered A15.23).

The construction of Stage 1 commenced on 26 June 1964 and was completed in May 1965. This file comprises plans with the title The working drawings of Union College in title block, J.P. Birrell as University Architect (on all drawings) and D.G. Cheesman as Assistant Architect (on most drawings) . All, except one, are ink line drawings on tracing paper and most are dated May 1964. Drawings:
[Item 1] 'Site plan', number i/10B (previously numbered A15.24) ;
[Item 2] 'Foundations plan', number i/11 (previously numbered A15.25) ;
[Item 3] 'Ground floor plan', number i/12 (previously numbered A15.26) ;
[Item 4] 'Upper floor plan', number i/13A (previously numbered A15.27) ;
[Item 5] 'Roof plan', number i/14 (previously numbered A15.28) ;
[Item 6] 'Elevations', number i/15 (previously numbered A15.29) ;
[Item 7] '1/2" section', number i/16 (previously numbered A15.30) ;
[Item 8] 'Elevations', number i/17 (previously numbered A15.31) ;
[Item 9] 'Elevations', number i/18 (previously numbered A15.32) ;
[Item 10] 'Bedroom details', number i/19 (previously numbered A15.33) ;
[Item 11] 'Brickwork', number i/20 (previously numbered A15.34) ;
[Item 12] '1/2' section', number i/21 (previously numbered A15.35) ;
[Item 13] 'Doors', number i/22 (previously numbered A15.36) ;
[Item 14] 'Doors', number i/22, pencil annotations (previously numbered A15.37) ;
[Item 15] 'Toilet details', number i/24A, (previously numbered A15.38) ;
[Item 16] 'Toilet details', number i/25A, (previously numbered A15.39) ;
[Item 17] 'Plumbing details', number i/26, (previously numbered A15.40) ;
[Item 18] 'Kitchen details', number i/27, (previously numbered A15.41) ;
[Item 19] 'Window details', pencil line drawing on tracing paper, number i/28, June 1964 (previously numbered A15.42) ; and
[Item 20] 'Soil pipe amendment', number i/29, July 1964 (previously numbered A15.43).