Herbert Simms

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Lindie Naugton's engaging and accessible overview of the history of public housing in Dublin has at its centre the remarkable achievement of Herbert Simms. During his time as city architect from 1932 to 1948, Simms was responsible for delivering 17,000 dwellings, thereby doubling rate of delivery of his predecessors in the 1920s. Simms is now recognised as a visionary urban planner and thinker. He vehemently rejected rehousing programmes that would promote urban sprawl, instead advocating for high-density, well fitted-out and solidly built modern housing that was affordable for people working in the city. Interestingly - and presciently - he also built housing in satellite towns where there was a local industry to sustain employment, effectively creating entirely new suburbs for Dublin city. Simms had a keen eye for design - his favoured art deco style is still admired today, with notable examples including Pearse House on Townsend St as well as recreational buildings such as the bathing shelters and kiosk at Bull Wall. Following a tragic end prompted by overwork, Simms has become something of a folk hero, and 70 years on, he remains an inspiration for new generations of Dubliners.