James Birrell Archive, University Library Photographs

James Cook University James Birrell Archive, University Library Photographs. [Photo Album]

BIR/6/1/1 - Library interior, under construction, scaffolding and supports. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/2 - Library interior, under construction, view of scaffolding and supports taken from second floor. Stage 1,1968.
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BIR/6/1/3 - Library exterior, under construction, scaffolding and supports under second floor. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/4 - Library interior, under construction, no roof. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/5 - Library interior, under construction, construction of main stairs. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/6 - Library interior, under construction, construction workers creating stairs. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/7 - Library interior, under construction. Ground floor. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/8 - Library exterior, under construction, loading dock, crane in foreground. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/9 - Library exterior, under construction, constructing walls. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/10 - Library exterior, under construction, constructing walls. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/11 - Library interior, under construction, second floor. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/12 - Library interior, under construction, second floor. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/13 - Library exterior, under construction, no roof, scaffolding along outside wall. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/14 - Library exterior, under construction. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/15 - Library exterior, under construction. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/16 - Library exterior, under construction, arrival of roof trusses. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/17 - Library exterior, under construction, arrival of roof trusses. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/18 - Library exterior, under construction, arrival of roof scaffolding. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/19 - Library exterior, southern wall, under construction. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/20 - Library exterior, under construction, beginning of roof construction. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/21 - Library exterior, under construction, beginning of roof construction. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/22 - Library exterior, under construction, beginning of roof construction. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/23 - Library interior, under construction. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/24 - Library exterior, under construction. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/25 - Library exterior, under construction, southern wall. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/26 - Library exterior, under construction, scaffolding over entrance, cars in foreground. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/27 - Library exterior, under construction, cars in foreground. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/28 - Library exterior, under construction, cars in foreground. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/29 - Library exterior, under construction, cars in foreground. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/30 - Library interior, under construction, first floor. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/31 - Library exterior, under construction. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/32 - Library exterior, under construction, with workmen. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/33 - Library interior, under construction, taken from second floor, construction workers. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/34 - Library exterior, with scaffolding. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/35 - Library interior, “First floor of new library building showing balustrade of mezzanine floor.” First floor. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/36 - Library interior, construction recently finished, empty shelves, first floor. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/37 - Library interior, construction recently finished, main stairs, empty shelves, first floor. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/1/38 - Library interior, view from second floor, carpet being laid on first floor. Stage 1, 1968.
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BIR/6/2/1 - Library interior, view of first floor from second floor, with students. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/2 - Library interior, students at new periodical stand. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/3 - Library interior, view of first floor from second floor. Second floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/4 - Library interior, view of first floor from second floor, people viewing a display on second floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/5 - Library interior, view of first floor from second floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/6 - Library interior, staff member pushing book trolley into elevator. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/7 - Library interior, book display, different angle. First Floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/8 - Library interior, periodicals shelves. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/9 - Library interior, view of first floor from second floor, with students. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/10 - Library interior, view of first floor from second floor, with students. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/11 - Library interior, students studying, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/12 - Library interior, students in study carrels. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/13 - Library interior, students in study carrels, card catalogue being used, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/14 - Library interior, looking towards main stairs, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/15 - Library interior, card catalogue. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/16 - Two students presenting books at check-out desk to prove that they had been borrowed upstairs, ground floor foyer. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/17 - Library interior, check-out desk, ground floor foyer. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/18 - Library interior, students walking down main stairs to ground floor foyer. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/19 - Library interior, “Main floor of the Library looking from the Reference desks”. First floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/20 - Library interior, custom built library study carrel.
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BIR/6/2/21 - Library interior, reference desk, second floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/22 - Library interior, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/23 - Library interior, new periodical stands and main stairs, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/24 - Library interior, book display, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/25 - Library interior, book display, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/26 - Library interior, original southern wall before stage 3 extension/wrap-around. View of first floor taken from second floor.
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BIR/6/2/27 - Library interior, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/28 - Library interior, staff shelving books. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/29 - Library interior, looking back towards main stairs and reference desk, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/30 - Library interior, students on lounge chairs reading. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/31 - Library interior, lounge chairs, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/32 - Library interior, students on lounge chairs, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/33 - Library interior, student sitting at study carrel. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/34 - Library interior, reference desk and main stairs, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/35 - Library interior, reference desk and main stairs, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/36 - Library interior, lounge chairs and new periodicals stand, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/37 - Library interior, reference desk new location, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/38 - Library interior, students studying, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/39 - Library interior, students studying, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/40 - Library interior, looking towards main stairs, reference desk on far left, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/41 - Library interior, view of first floor from second floor, with students. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/42 - Library interior, view of first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/43 - Library interior, student coming up main stairs, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/2/44 - Library interior, view of reference desk from main stairs, first floor. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/1 - Library exterior, two women walking over Wadda Mooli Creek in foreground. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/2 - Library exterior. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/3/ - Library exterior, view from Wadda Mooli Creek. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/4 - Library exterior, students in foreground. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/5 - Library exterior, entrance with people. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/6 - Library exterior, view from Wadda Mooli Creek bridge. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/7 - Library exterior, three people on path. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/8 - Library exterior, three people outside door. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/9 - Library exterior. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/10 - Library exterior, woman walking on path. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/11 - Library exterior, students in foreground. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/12 - Library exterior, group of visiting students walking past. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/13 - Library exterior, three people walking on path. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/14 - Library exterior, three people on bench in foreground. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/15 - Library exterior, three women on a bench. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/16 - Library exterior, four people on path. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/17 - Library exterior, three students leaving entrance, two people on path. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/18 - Library exterior, elevated view through trees. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/19 - Library exterior, students entering library. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/20 - Library exterior, under construction, three people standing in front of building. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/21 - Library exterior, students in graduation gowns and caps. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/3/22 - Library exterior, students in graduation gowns and caps. Stage 1.
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BIR/6/4/1 - Library interior, damage to ceiling and furniture covered with cloth, possible aftermath of Cyclone Althea (25 December, 1971)
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BIR/6/4/2 - Library exterior, fallen trees after Cyclone Althea (25 December, 1971)
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BIR/6/4/3 - Library exterior, people entering main entrance. Stage 2.
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BIR/6/4/4 - Special Collections reading room. After 1989.
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BIR/6/4/5 - Library interior, students reading new periodicals, first floor. Stage unknown.
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BIR/6/4/6 - Library interior, under construction, rooms that would become part of the current Special Collections, previously housing Interlibrary Loans / Document Supply and IT Help services, first floor. Stage 3.
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BIR/6/4/7 - Library exterior, under construction, window detail, southern wall. Stage 3, September, 1990.
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BIR/6/4/8 - Library interior, students studying in Library on first floor, taken from second floor. Stage 2.
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BIR/6/4/9 - Library exterior, southern wall. Stage 3.
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BIR/6/4/10 - Library exterior, under construction, roof over Library waterfall, eastern wall. Stage 3.
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BIR/6/4/11 - Library interior, bindery room, ground floor.
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BIR/6/5/1 - Model of the University campus at Douglas.
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BIR/6/5/2 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/3 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/4 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/5 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/6 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/7 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/8 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/9 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/10 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/11 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/12 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/5/13 - Architect's model of the Library.
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BIR/6/6/1 - “H.R.H Princess Anne inspecting the Library display”.
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BIR/6/6/2 - H.M. The Queen “signing the visitor’s book”.
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BIR/6/6/3 - “H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh meets the students”.
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BIR/6/6/4 - “H.M. The Queen visits the Library”.
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BIR/6/6/5 - H.M. The Queen talking to students in the Library. Dated 1970.
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Work By: Architect: James Birrell
Item Type: Photo Album
Collection: Library Archives
Exhibition: 50 Treasures
Location: Townsville Campus Library
Item Code: BIR/6
Related Links: NQH: James Birrell Archive; JCU Library News Blog Post: 50 Treasures
Subjects: James Birrell; University Library; architecture; brutalist; Douglas campus; James Cook University; 50 Treasures; photographs; royal visits; Queen Elizabeth II

Summary

This item is one of our 50 Treasures: Celebrating 50 years of James Cook University.

Trisha Fielding answers the question 'Why is this significant?'

The Eddie Koiki Mabo Library, on James Cook University's Douglas campus in Townsville, is arguably one of north Queensland's most architecturally significant buildings. Designed by Melbourne-born architect James Birrell, the first stage of the Library was in use by late 1968.

Birrell designed a three-storey, rectangular, off-form concrete building, with an oversized steel-framed copper roof. Described as having a 'sculptural form with sloping exterior walls', the Library is an outstanding example of 1960s brutalist architecture. Descended from the modernist architectural movement, brutalism (which was in vogue in Australia from the 1950s to the 1970s) has been described as one of the most polarising architectural movements of the twentieth century. Considered by many to be aesthetically displeasing, even ugly, because of its exaggerated scale and unrelieved use of raw, undressed concrete, brutalist buildings are common on university campuses built throughout Australia during the post-war years.

Brutalist architects in Australia were influenced by a wide range of international designers, and Birrell was no exception. He was also influenced by his lecturer at the University of Melbourne, Roy Grounds, a leading Victorian architect of the modernist movement. Grounds' National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne (the first stage of which was completed in 1968) shares similar features to Birrell's JCU Library.

Birrell was also responsible for the design of University Hall and the Humanities II building (now called the Ken Back Chancellery building) and, together with Gordon Stephenson, was involved in the design of the master plan of James Cook University's Douglas campus layout. Birrell drew some of his inspiration for the master plan from Walter Burley Griffin's design for the city of Canberra, particularly in relation to integrating the architecture into the landscape. Buildings were sited along broad axial lines that referenced Mount Stuart and Magnetic Island.

The James Birrell Archive includes a series of photographs that document the construction of Stage I of the Library. These photographs provide a fascinating insight into the early evolution of this now iconic building. The photographs which show the Library with no roof, only its sloping, concrete walls, provide the best illustrative example of Birrell's careful placement of the library within the landscape. Without its monumental roof, the photos reveal how the curves of the tops of the library's walls perfectly mirror the gentle lower slopes of Mt Stuart in the background.

James Birrell (1928–2019) was an influential, award-winning architect of the post-war era. He designed a number of significant buildings and public amenities in Brisbane, but a substantial portion of his career was spent in the tropics: in Darwin, Townsville, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

Additional Information

Trisha Fielding is an historian and writer whose published works include the books Neither Mischievous nor Meddlesome: The Remarkable Lives of North Queensland's Independent Midwives 1890-1940, Queen City of the North: A History of Townsville, and the history blogs North Queensland History and Women of the North. In 2019 Trisha was commissioned to write a commemorative volume for JCU's 50th anniversary in 2020. She holds a Master of History degree from the University of New England and a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction majoring in History and Journalism from the University of Southern Queensland. Trisha also works part time in JCU Library's Special Collections.

Collection access: Special Collection items may be used on the Library premises by visiting the appropriate Reading Rooms during opening hours. Digital copies of selected items from the special collections will be made available through the repository as copyright or other restrictions allow.

Photograph captions supplied by Library staff. Captions in quotation marks are transcribed from text found on the photograph.

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