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.

The Co-Ordinator General of State Works originally gave the commission for the University of Queensland Agriculture and Entomology Building (known as Hartley Teakle Building) to Fred Scorer of the firm Scorer and Scorer on 17 March 1966. After Fred Scorer's untimely death in 1966, James Birrell purchased the Scorer and Scorer firm as part of setting up his own practice. He resigned as University Architect in late March 1966. The Co-Ordinator General approved Birrell taking over the commission for the Agriculture and Entomology Building. James Birrell and Partners were the architects for the building. The site chosen for the building was to the north-west of the Great Court on the western side of Mill road. The glass houses and veterinary buildings were built. Mayne Hall, now the UQ Art Museum and the Biological Science Library and Refect were not yet built. Front Drive still ran along the front of Main Building (now Forgan Smith).

The Agriculture and Entomology Building was designed to follow the site contours, was a 'c-shaped plan' and was designed to be built in three separate stages. Each stage was designed to be complete within themselves. Stage 1 was completed in February 1969; Stage 2 in May 1970; and Stage 3 in December 1970.

The subseries consists of plans for the Agriculture and Entomology Building, Stages 1-3, on the University of Queensland St. Lucia campus. It contains preliminary drawings by James Birrell as the University Architect and Master plans by Scorer and Scorer. Stage 1 : Job B7. Stage 2 : Job B7A; Stage 3 : Job B7B. Includes: site plan, floor plans, drainage plans, elevations, sections, roof details, site works, sun control details, window details, stair details, furniture details, seminar rooms, teaching rooms, administrative rooms, staff room details, student rooms, door schedules, perspectives, preliminary plans. Engineering plans Job 3092, 3378, 3398. Electrical engineer Job 1217. Mechanical engineer Job 2040.

The construction of Stage II commenced in May 1965 and was presumably completed before the start of first term in 1966. 1 volume of 7 drawings, with cover page, held together metal staples. From cover page creators are James Birrell & Partners (Architect) and Antony Tod (Consulting Structural Engineer). All drawings are dated March 1966. Drawings all have the number 1712, followed by a running sheet number from 1 to 7.

Architectural drawing, ink line drawing on tracing paper for new tutors flat to Stage 1 of Union College, dated 11 Mar 1975. This would be an addition to stage one of the College, not part of the initial Stage 1 construction. Unsure if this was built.

The construction of Stage V commenced in Jan 1973 and was completed in Mar 1974. This volume comprises 8 drawings. It is held together metal staples, with pages coming loose. From title block creators are James Birrell & Partners (Architect) and Antony Tod & Partners (Consulting Structural & Civil Engineers). All drawings are dated Oct 1972. Drawings have the drawing no. number 4102, followed by a running sheet number from 1A to 8.

This drawing is almost the same as the drawings that appear in Stage 1. It has stage 1 job no. i, with the title block client as the University of Queensland and the architect as J.P. Birrell as University Architect. (See UQFL117-Series A-Subseries 13-File 2-Items 9-10]. It appears that this drawing was reused, with a new date of Sep 1969, on tracing paper, and with no colour. It has mistakely labeled Stage 4 as Stage 3 (which is corrected in pencil) and Stage 5 is labeled as 'Future'.

The construction of Stage IV commenced in December 1969 and was completed inJune 1972. This volume comprises 10 drawings and a general notes page. It was previously held together metal staples. From cover page creators are James Birrell & Partners (Architect) and Antony Tod & Partners (Consulting Structural Engineer). All drawings are dated October 1969. The General notes page is undated November 1960. General notes page and drawings have the drawing no. number 3093, followed by a running sheet number from 1 to 11.

The construction of Stage III commenced in July 1967 and was completed in June 1968. This volume comprises 13 drawings and a general notes page. It was previously held together metal staples. From cover page creators are James Birrell & Partners (Architect) and Antony Tod & Partners (Consulting Structural Engineer). All drawings are dated June 1967. General notes page and all drawings have the drawing no. number 2221, followed by a running sheet number from 1 to 14.

The construction of Stage 1 commenced on 26 June 1964 and was completed in May 1965. This file comprises plans from contractors: [Items 1-2] Job no. 1171 Union College Extentions by P.R. Scott & Associates (Consulting Mechanical & Electrical Engineers), job/drawing number 1171/1 (previously numbered A15.104) and 1171/2 (previously numbered A15.105).

The construction of Stage II commenced in May 1965 and was presumably completed before the start of first term in 1966. There are 11 drawings in this file.

There are nine working drawings that form a set, all drawings are ink line drawings on tracing paper and all but one have the date of March 1966 and are drawn by B. Goodsir. These nine drawings are:
[Item 1] 'Facilities block : floor and roof plans', sheet no. 2 (previously numbered A15.87);
[Item 2] 'Facilities block : elevations sections and window details', sheet no. 3 (previously numbered A15.88);
[Item 3] 'Fireplace and flue details', sheet no. 5 (previously numbered A15.89);
[Item 4] Warden's residence : plans, elevations and sections', sheet no. 6 (previously numbered A15.90);
[Item 5] Warden's residence : sections', sheet no. 7 (previously numbered A15.91);
[Item 6] Warden's residence : cupboard details ; Facilities block ; female change room', sheet no. 8 (previously numbered A15.92);
[Item 7] Warden's residence door details', sheet no. 9 (previously numbered A15.93);
[Item 8] Warden's residence: windows ; Existing dormitory block : stair glazing', sheet no. 10 (previously numbered A15.94); and
[Item 9] 'Details of driveway and carpark', sheet no. 11, dated 20 April 1966 (previously numbered A15.95).

Two additional drawings:
[Item 10] 1 drawing titled 'Union College Stage 2 : Boundary wall and paths', no job number, no date (previously numbered A15.86);
[Item 11] 1 drawing with University of Queensland title block that has J.P. Birrell as University Architect, that relates to Stage 2 construction titled 'View of Warden's residence from Upland Road', no job number, no date (previously numbered A15.85)