In this role, O'Rourke was responsible for leading the redesign and rebuilding of O'Connell Street and surrounding areas following damage during the Easter Rising and Irish Civil War.
He undertook the reconstruction of Charlemont House as an art gallery and civic museum.
[2] Despite being a traditionalist in his style and preference, he took a close interest in town planning and was said to be "the driving force behind" the Dublin Civic Survey of 1925.
[3] He was an active member of the Dublin Civic Week committees in 1927 and 1929, and most of his public addresses and pronouncements during the 1930s were more concerned with town planning than architecture.
[2] His works include 298 rental houses in Cabra for Dublin Corporation in 1930.