WATERLOO -- Architecture is about more than structure.

Often it encompasses artistic and creative expression and an exploration of space, as well as utilitarian function.

The new gift shop at the Waterloo Center for the Arts/Phelps Youth Pavilion is as much art as the paintings, sculptures and pottery for sale inside. Differences between the former gift shop, tucked into small corner near the center's Grand Foyer, and the newly opened store are like night and day.

Part of the newly constructed $4.7 million children's art museum, the storefront shop is a contemporary cylinder of soft blue tinted windows that soar three stories. At night, the cylinder glows and changes color like a neon sculpture, thanks to a special lighting system.

"It's such a cool spatial experience," enthuses Maureen Newbill, WCA visitor services manager. "During the day, the store is filled with light and the round shape is pleasing and really shows off the merchandise. I don't have to stack things up anymore and there's room for visitors to move and examine the merchandise from all angles. It's accessible for parents with strollers and visitors who use wheelchairs."

In many respects, the gift shop is another gallery or an extension, Newbill says. Colorful, decorative and fun objects created by Midwestern and international artists are shown to best advantage in open shelving and display cases. Work by local artists such as Mary Frisbee Johnson and Sara Jayne Cole can be found as well as art created by Glass Dragon, Pale Moon Studio, Cold Mountain Glass and many others.

A large area is devoted to children's merchandise reflects the experiences and artwork children find in the Phelps Youth Pavilion. Small fry can sit at the table and chairs and work on creative projects while their parents shop.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

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The aroma is enough to drive visitors wild.

Every Tuesday through Saturday morning, Lidija Golub bakes bread at the Art House Cafe. The intoxicating fragrance wafts through the galleries at the Waterloo Center for the Arts/Phelps Youth Pavilion.

When loaves are cooled, Golub slices the bread and builds hearty sandwiches -- grilled chicken, turkey, honey ham, roast beef and classic tuna salad, stacked with fresh greens and cheese slivers -- which are served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wraps, salads, soups, including lobster bisque, and a selection of elegant desserts are also brought out from Golub's kitchen. Signature desserts include key lime pie, Black Forest torte, cakes, chocolate walnut pie and Sacher torte, the famous Viennese chocolate cake. There's also a kids' menu.

"Everything is fresh and homemade, and produce is hand-picked Tuesday through Saturday. The meals are nice and healthy and good-sized portions," says Oggie Golub, Lidija's son and manager of Art House Cafe.

Metal chairs and webbed metal chairs spill out of the cafe proper and into the WCA's grand foyer. Guests can "dine" with Andy Warhol and Grant Wood, for example, among the array of famous artists featured in Gary Kelley's mural.

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Tuesday, and the Golubs told the crowd that they wanted the public to make the cafe a gathering place. Lidija has more than 20 years experience operating a cafe in her native Bosnia with her father.

In addition to cafe fare, she enjoys creating daily specials that often reflect the Golubs' Bosnian culture.

"This is the food we eat at home and it's nice to have chance to introduce it here, and if it's not Bosnian, it's some kind of ethnic cuisine to give customers a different experience," explains Oggie.

Lidija will prepare breakfast pastries and cinnamon rolls by advance request as breakfast treats, and the cafe also caters events both inside the center and at other locations. Call 291-4490 for more information.

Contact Melody Parker at 291-1429 or melody.parker@wcfcourier.com.