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).

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 as University of Queensland Architect.

This subseries has the designs of the University College of Townsville Library (now the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library) by James Birrell and Partners. There are several of the earlier plans in this subseries have University of Queensland in the title block and James Birrell as the University Architect with James Birrell and Partners written above the title block.

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 as University of Queensland Architect, including the First Hall of Residence.

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.

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.

1 volume of plans by James Birrell (University Architect) and Antony Tod (Consulting Structural Engineer); cover page has a drawing index; sheets numbered sequentially from 1 to 31 with numbers 17 and 27 missing. Previously held together with metal paper binders (now removed).

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.

2 plans by P.R. Scott & Associates, 1197/SK1 and 1140/4B.

1 set of 12 working drawings by James Birrell and Partners (Townsville) for the Second Dormitory Block, Job no. T4; dated Oct 1966; sequentially numbered 1 to 12. Three additional drawings included in this file by James Birrell and Partners with no job numbers, dated Feb, Mar and Apr 1967.