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.

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.

16 jobs with 71 plans. Drawings: ABC Commentators Box, Gardens Oval, Darwin, 1954 ; Legislative Council Chamber, Darwin 1954 ; Proposed Shopping & Community Centre, Fannie Bay 1954 ; Katherine School extensions, 1954 ; Aeradio and Meteorological Office, Alice Springs, 1954 ; Extensions, Outpatients Dept. Darwin Hospital, 1954 ; Single Teacher Primary School, 1955 ; Tourist Camp Toilet Block, Alice Springs, 1955 ; Native Ward, Katherine Hospital, 1955 ; Pre-school Centre, Darwin, 1956 ; N.T.A - Tennant Creek School additional classroom, 1955 ; Midwifery Block, Tenants Creek Hospital, 1954 ; Bus Passenger Shelter, Darwin ; Primary Schools, Cupboards etc in classrooms ; Bilateral Secondary School, Darwin, 1955 ; Native Hospital, Alice Springs.

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.

Five sketch plans, dated Jul 1964, title block with University of Queensland and James Birrell as University Architect.

Four sketch plans, dated Mar 1965, title block with University of Queensland and James Birrell as University Architect, each plan numbered sequentially from T.1/1-1 to 1-4.

15 working drawings, dated Jun to Aug 1965, title block with University of Queensland and James Birrell as University Architect with a running sheet number. These numbers are: T3/1 to 3, 8, 14-16 and 18-25.

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.

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