The building consists of five elongated rectangular volumes that form the new western façade of the complex. The architect strived to make the most of the soft natural light characteristic of this polar region, so he used glass for the facades of the building. The curtain walls are composed of clear and frosted glass panels with vertical fritted stripes. The varieties used do not allow ultraviolet rays to pass through, which could harm the exhibits; additional protection is provided by fabric screens, which, if necessary, can be used to tighten transparent sections of the walls. On the outside, these glass panels form a mirrored surface that reflects the surrounding urban and natural landscape.
Each of the five volumes of the Chipperfield building differs from the others in height and width. Since it was mainly about the ethnographic exposition of the Smithsonian Arctic Research Center, which was located in the new building, it was decided to abandon the white faceless halls there. Instead, exhibition spaces are confined to richly colored concrete walls, and Douglas Fir wood has been used for the lobby.
Since the street facade of the new wing of the museum has become the main facade of the entire complex, facing the center of Anchorage, in addition to the lobby, there is an atrium on its first two floors - a space for various social events, a museum cafe and an educational center. The third and fourth levels are occupied by the actual exhibition halls.
