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.

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).

The construction of Stage 1 commenced on 26 June 1964 and was completed in May 1965. This file comprises plans with the varying titles in title block, and J.P. Birrell as University Architect. All are ink line drawings on tracing paper and most are dated between September and February 1965. Drawings:
[Item 1] 'Union College toilet amendments', number i/30, Sep 1964 (previously numbered A15.44) ;
[Item 2] 'Detail of handrail to balustrade wall etc Union College', number i/31A, 14 Sep 1964 (previously numbered A15.45) ;
[Item 3] 'Foundation stone - Union College', number i/32, Oct 1964 (previously numbered A15.46) ;
[Item 4] 'Grease trap - Union College', number i/33A, 17 Sep 1964 (previously numbered A15.47) ;
[Item 5] 'Union College - detail of M.S. C.', number i/34, Dec 1964 (previously numbered A15.48) ;
[Item 6] 'Amended lighting layout to dining room - Union College', number i/35, Dec 1964 (previously numbered A15.49) ;
[Item 7] 'Union College - paving details', number i/36, Feb 1965 (previously numbered A15.50) ;
[Item 8] 'Union College - stair at roof level', number i/37, Feb 1965 (previously numbered A15.50A) ;
[Item 9] 'Union College - landscaping', number i/41, Sep 1965 (previously numbered A15.51 ) ; and
[Item 10] 'Union College - service road', number i/42, undated (previously numbered A15.52).

There is an additional drawing, without a title block or job/drawing number:
[Item 11] 'Revised window details bed rooms Union College', 23 Aug 1964 (previously numbered A15.53).

The construction of Stage 1 commenced on 26 June 1964 and was completed in May 1965. This file comprises plans from contractors: [Items 1-3] Amelco American Elumin Co.; Series 802 windows for Union College ; set of 3 drawings, numbered A-2308-1 to A-2308-3; dated 17 Aug 1964 (previously numbered A15.78-80);
[Items 4-7] J. Connolly (Qld) Pty Ltd; Gearing details; set of 4 drawings, numbered B.973/1-B.973/4; dated Nov. 1964 (previously numbered A15.81-84).

The construction of Stage 1 commenced on 26 June 1964 and was completed in May 1965. 1 volume of 22 drawings, with cover page and contents page, held together metal paper binders and staples. From cover page creators are J.P. Birrell (University Architect) and Antony Tod (Consulting Structural Engineer). All drawings are dated April 1964. The first page has the drawing index and general notes. Drawings all have the number 1244, followed by a running sheet number from 1 to 22.

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.