A pioneering new arts centre dedicated to children, nestling in the shell of an old Presbyterian meeting hall.

Could be (and has been) confused with a creche in the early days, some parents were not completely clear that this was a state of the art cultural institution for younger citizens, thinking instead it might be a useful place to dump the kids before heading off to the shops.

Architect Group 91/Shane O'Toole, Michael Kelly. Opened September 1995.

Cost £2.65 million. Number of staff 9.

"In a simple phrase, the Ark is an arts centre whose design and whose programme is specifically dedicated to, an audience of children between the ages of four and 14," says its director, Martin Drury. With a front facade on Eustace Street and a rear on Meeting house Square, the building contains workshops, exhibition space, and an extremely adaptable 150 seat performance space.

The performance space is one of the most pleasant theatres in the city. "The one thing I said to the designer was that I did not want a `black box'," says Drury. Instead, the space is decorated in deep blue, offset with pale American oak. In addition to offering a performance space for those inside the Ark, the building has also been designed so the rear wall of the stage can open, and performances be given on Meeting house square. Programming performances into the siluare is not the responsibility of the Ark, but of Temple Bar Properties.

The Ark is perhaps the most difficult of the institutions in the Temple Bar area to penetrate at least for adults. Most of those children who use the centre do so on pre-arranged visits and adults who want to have a look around must choose their times carefully. "Obviously we don't allow adults to roam the building when there are children at work." Casual visitors with children are more likely to find an activity on the weekends. Around 200 children may use the centre at any one time.