James Birrell

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James Birrell

Personal information
Name James Birrell
Nationality Flag of Australia Australian
Birth date 1928[1]
Birth place Melbourne, Australia
Work
Significant buildings Union College, University of Queensland James Purnell Building - University of Queensland, JD Story Administration Building - University of Queensland, Agriculture and Entomology Building (Hartley Teakle Building) - University of Queensland
Significant projects Brisbane Centenary Pool Centre
Awards and prizes 2005 RAIA Gold Medal [2]

James Birrell (born 1928) is a retired architect responsible for the design of significant buildings in Queensland, Australia.

Contents

[edit] History

Birrell grew up in Airport West and attended Essendon High School. Birrell graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1951. Birrell admired the work of Walter Burley Griffin, and he wrote his biography in 1964.

[edit] Brisbane City Council Architect

He was appointed Brisbane City Council Architect in 1955. During this time he oversaw 150 projects, including the Toowong Library and pool, Wickham Terrace car park and the Centenary Pools

[edit] University of Queensland Staff Architect

In 1961 accepted the position of University of Queensland Staff Architect.

[edit] Private Practice

Private practice in Queensland and in Papua New Guinea and as a planning consultant to the Indonesian Government.

[edit] Works

  • Toowong Library and Pool designed while City Council Architect.
  • Union College Building designed while University of Queensland Staff.[3]
  • Wickham Terrace car park
  • Brisbane Centenary Pool Centre
  • James Cook University Main Library
  • JD Story Administration Building - University of Queensland
  • Agriculture and Entomology Building (Hartley Teakle Building) - University of Queensland

[edit] RAIA Gold Medal

In 2005 Birrell was awarded the RAIA Gold Medal. Royal Australian Institute of Architects national president Warren Kerr said the Melbourne-born Brisbane-based architect had made a "spirited and distinguished contribution to the discipline of architecture".[4]

[edit] Tributes

[edit] References

  1. ^ James Birrell Collection
  2. ^ RAIA Official Award Site
  3. ^ Heritage Register - Union College Building
  4. ^ http://www.theage.com.au/news/Arts/Melbourneborn-architect-draws-gold/2005/03/25/1111692625301.html The Age News Report - Award of RAIA Gold Medal
  5. ^ James Birrell Room - UQ Staff Club
Persondata
NAME Birrell, James
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Retired, award-winning Australian archiect
DATE OF BIRTH 1928
PLACE OF BIRTH Victoria, Australia
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH