Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1965 (Creation)
Level of description
Subseries
Extent and medium
10 architectural drawings ; 51 x 76 cm.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
James Peter Birrell was born in Melbourne on the 24 October 1928. He was educated at the Melbourne Technical College (1945-1949) while working for the Victorian State Works Department (1947), for R.G. Warren (1948) and the Commonwealth Works Department (1948-1950). He transferred into a fourth year course in the School of Architecture at the University of Melbourne. Following his graduation in 1950, he returned to the Commonwealth Works Department and worked for them in Melbourne, Canberra and Darwin. He was appointed Architect in charge of the Architectural Branch in the Brisbane City Council (1955-1961). He resigned to become Staff Architect to the University of Queensland (1961-1966). He commenced his own practice in 1966, with offices at various times in Brisbane, Townsville, Port Moresby, and Maroochydore with various partners (including Lorant Kulley, Philip Conn, Richard Stringer and Lindsay Mack). He died on 20 September 2019, aged 90.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
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.
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Unrestricted access
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Allied materials area
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Notes area
Note
Oversize folder 19
Note
Previously housed in Folder 26 as A14.01-09 and in Folder 25 as A13.15.
Note
Job A1/32 Proposed mezzanine floor to printery (Library basement) was previously part of Job A2 Main Library alterations, University of Queensland. Previously housed in Folder 25 as A13.15.
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Status
Final
Level of detail
Minimal
Dates of creation revision deletion
Created, Linda Justo, 10-Feb-2021