The collection comprises 1109 photographs, 1 album (with 39 photographs), and 10 digital images relating to the University of Queensland. It also includes real photo postcards.

Bound presentation volume, cover title J.D. Story Administration Building, University of Queensland, by University Architect J.P. Birrell. There are no job numbers or drawing numbers. Includes the design idea of a separate Senate House date from the first submission to the Australian Universities Commission (A.U.C.).

Client: The Department of the Coordinator General of Public Works. Architects: Hayes & Scott. Drawing no. 101-105, Nov 1967 to Jan 1968.

Client: Queensland. Department of Co-Ordinator General of Public Works. Most drawings have a print copy on paper. Some drawings have 2-3 versions (A, B, C).

Client: Queensland. Department of Co-Ordinator General of Public Works. Drawings numbers: 19-26, drawn by RAC, Dec 1968-Mar 1969.

Seventeen drawings for the Achitecture Music & Planning Building (now the Sir Zelman Cowen Building), drawn in 1973, for Job no. 335 of Nutter Stevenson & Partners. All signed off by the Office of the University Architect. Includes:
Drawing no. 2, Issue B, Site plan, drawn by AHG, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 4, Issue I, Level 3, drawn by AHG, Jan 1973. --
Drawing no. 5, Issue D, Level 4, drawn by AHG, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 6, Issue F, Level 5, drawn by AHG, Jan 1973. --
Drawing no. 7, Issue B, Roof & plant room plans, drawn by AHG, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 8, Issue B, North & East elevations, drawn by [AHG], Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 9, Issue C, South & West elevations, drawn by AHG, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 10, Issue A, Section C & W. Elevation, drawn by AHG, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 11, Issue C, Sections 'A' & 'B', drawn by AHG, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 14, Issue A, Detail sections, drawn by CH, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 15, Issue B, Detail sections, drawn by CH, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 16, Issue A, Detail sections, drawn by CH, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 17, Issue A, Large scale details, drawn by CH, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 18, Issue B, Miscellaneous details, drawn by DAN, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 19, Issue C, Room 434 details, drawn by CH, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 20, Issue C, Room 434 details, drawn by CH, Jun 1973. --
Drawing no. 25, Issue A, Stair 3 details, drawn by DB, Jun.

Contains 22 plans for the Contract drawing, New Industrial Centre at University of Queensland St. Lucia. Brisbane for the Co-Ordinator General's Dept, (Oct 1963), and includes: site and drainage plan, floor plans, roof plan, elevations, concrete details, steel details, furniture details, and the Gardener's Shed (Nov 1963). The drawings were done by James P. Birrell in association with Peter D. Heathwood. The plans for the industrial centre included the Maintenance shops, printery, amenities and transport building. It is located on the corner of Services Road and Hood Street. The Gardener's Shed is located on the other side of Hood Street. Demolished in November 2021.

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.

On 11 November 1958, Harrison Bryan, University Librarian and Honorary Secretary of the Staff Association communicated to the Registrar of the intention to have Staff House, similar to what existed at other Australian Universities. After Birrell commenced work as the University Architect in July 1961, he produced several designs of varying budgets. However site selection, funding, its low priority and frequent delays in construction did not see the building completed until after Birrell resigned as University Architect in March 1966. The building was completed by his replacement, Mr. K.S. Crump. On 20th April 1966 the club was formally invited to occupy the Staff House. Due to the volume of work done by Birrell, he was offered Honorary Life Membership and the Common Room was renamed the James Birrell Room.
There are five drawings with the Job no. A24, dated 1964. Three drawings are by James Birrell and Partners from 1966, 1971 and 1974. Some drawings have no title block information. Most drawings are by other contractors.

Correspondence relating to the construction of extensions to Main Library, University of Queensland St Lucia; dated 13 Sep 1961 to 7 Jul 1966. 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. Correspondence in this file has been decanted from a large binder.