Joyful Spaces: The Ark, Dublin – Rina Keane, Design Director, Lumsden

Outside our homes, the commercial spaces we inhabit daily should do more than just function – they should enrich our lives and spark joy.  Our new Joyful Spaces series will form a collection of inspiring spaces, chosen by designers and professionals who share their personal connections to the places that brighten their days.

Each article in this series highlights a personally significant commercial space, exploring its history, design, and emotional resonance through the eyes of the contributor. By uncovering the stories behind these spaces, we hope to celebrate the environments that uplift and inspire us.

This new series continues with a Joyful Space chosen by Chosen by Rina Keane, Design Director of Lumsden. In her own words, Rina reflects on how a childhood encounter with The Ark ignited her understanding of design as storytelling, a formative experience that continues to influence her creative philosophy today. 

The Ark, Dublin – Reworked Façade; Photo credit: The Ark

“The Ark, Dublin is a cultural centre founded on a simple yet powerful idea: to give children of all backgrounds the opportunity to discover and create art. Since 1995, it has provided a unique, purpose-led commercial space dedicated to meaningful creative experiences through its on-site theatre, workshop spaces, and gallery.

Designed by Michael Kelly and Shane O’Toole of Group 91 Architects, the building beautifully blends contemporary design with a respectful nod to its origins as a Presbyterian Church. It’s repurposed façade and thoughtful use of modern materials are a powerful example of how thoughtful architecture can breathe new life into a building while still respecting its roots.

Entry; Photo credit: Gareth Jones

My first visit to The Ark as a child, shortly after it opened, has stayed with me as a formative memory — it was the moment I first became aware of the power of narrative and space – opening my eyes to how architecture itself can tell a story.

What struck me then — and still resonates with me now — is how intentionally the space was created for children. Design choices were bold yet meaningful. For example, the use of exposed concrete, a material not typically associated with children’s spaces, challenged conventional expectations. But it also made a statement: children deserve to be taken seriously. The theatre, deliberately designed to an intimate scale, avoids overwhelming young visitors, instead inviting them into the experience. And the name itself – The Ark – familiar already in meaning to children and easy to say, read and write.

Walkway; Photo credit: The Ark

During my visit, I had the unique opportunity to contribute to The Ark myself. As part of the “Of Land and Sky” programme, I worked alongside artist Martina Galvin and other children to create decorative artwork under the balcony walkway. Using natural materials — woods, dyes, and more — we formed patterns that became part of the building’s very fabric.

The Ark has inspired me on two levels. Personally, it was transformative to see my own creativity physically embedded in such a meaningful space — as a young person, it gave me a great sense of creative freedom and fleeting importance.

Rear of the Building opening on to Meeting House Square, Image Courtesy of Sean Harrington Architects

Professionally, the storytelling woven into every architectural detail continues to shape my own design approach today. It’s a reminder that when design is thoughtful, inclusive, and rooted in narrative, it becomes timeless — just like The Ark, whose impact is still so clearly felt more than two decades on.”

Rina Keane, Design Director of Lumsden

Rina is Design Director at Lumsden, having played a key role in shaping cultural and visitor attraction spaces at the London based studio, leading projects such as the Portico Shop at the National Gallery, and the refurbishment of Platform 9 and ¾ shop at King’s Cross Station.

With over 10 years’ experience in previous roles working across a variety of brands from Starbucks Reserve to EE, Rina brings a distinct, strategic perspective to Lumsden’s team. “Our goal is to create spaces that are not only visually striking but also accessible and welcoming to all audiences,” Keane says.