The Irish Times

We all know what council houses should look like: rows of identical dwellings with pitched roofs, or great slabs of flats, in bright brick, grey render, or even pebble-dash. Such blocks of accommodation are dropped onto sites randomly; some with gables onto the street, some fronting the road, in a layout that leaves odd pockets of ill-usable outdoor space. In cities, council homes have traditionally faced right onto pavements with lower-floor bedrooms forced into darkness all year round, as opening the blinds or curtains would expose night-time cocoons to the street. It's been a tough road for such housing.