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 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 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.

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).

Townsville University (known as James Cook University) drawings include: Preliminary observation on land ; Townsville University College, Permanent Campus (1963) ; Townsville University College Phases 1 and 2 (1964) ; Preliminary sketch, Ross river site (1964) ; Location plan showing growth of Townsville ; Master plan ; Immediate development plan 1964-1966 ; Topographical sections ; Traffic scheme ; Access and service layout ; Landscape elements ; Townsville University ; Untitled plan ; Siting of halls of residence (1965) ; Immediate development Plan 1967-69 ; L.A. 1-7 drawings by Landscape architect A. Wilson.

Proposed Dental School pilot plan only : relations of rooms are tentative, Title block client name is The University of Queensland, Architect is J.P. Birrell (University Architect), ink line drawings on tracing paper, Nov 1963: [Item 1] Lower ground floor ; [Item 2] Ground floor ; [Item 3] First floor ; [Item 4] Second floor ; [Item 5] Third floor.

Job A31 Dental School Accommodation Physiology Building, Title block client name is The University of Queensland, Architect is J.P. Birrell (University Architect), ink drawings on tracing paper, 1964-1965:
[Item 1] 'Working drawing' ; drawing number A31 /1 A ; Nov 1964.
[Item 2] 'Microscope laboratory benches' ; drawing number A31 / 2 ; Nov 1964.
[Item 3] 'Lecturer's bench microscope laboratory' ; drawing number A31 / 3 A ; Nov 1964.
[Item 4] 'Display fitting microscope laboratory' ; drawing number A31 / 4 ; Nov 1964.
[Item 5] 'Pin-up boards to microscope laboratory' ; drawing number A31 / 5 ; Nov 1964.
[Item 6] 'Wall benches to microscope laboratory' ; drawing number A31 / 6 ; Nov 1964.
[Item 7] 'Wall benches to office laboratory' ; drawing number A31 / 7 ; Dec 1964.
[Item 8] 'Details: Museum preparation room, oral physiology demonstration room, and storeroom' ; drawing number A31 / 8 ; Dec 1964.
[Item 9] 'Fittings to student hard tissue preparation lab' ; drawing number A31 / 9 ; [Dec 1964?].
[Item 10] 'Details: Demonstration room, temporary museum, door T.19' ; drawing number A31 / 10 ; Apr 1965.
[Item 11] 'Door schedule' ; drawing number A31 / 11 ; Nov 1964.
[Item 12] 'Details: bag rack unit microscope lab. projection' ; drawing number A31 / 12 ; Nov 1964.

[Site plan with contours for Proposed New Dental School at St. Lucia]; no title block; author unknown; ink drawing on tracing paper; untitled; undated.

Third floor level of the J. D. Story Administration Building, line drawing in ink on tracing paper, undated. Same as colour drawing in bound presentation volume.

Cross section of the J. D. Story Administration Building, line drawing in ink on tracing paper, undated. Same as colour drawing in bound presentation volume. Shows all seven floors, the covered way to the Senate House and the Service tunnel under the covered way to the Senate House.