Referring back to the 3 key features of the building programme: the vertical journey starts from the market on the ground level and as you go up the building, you have the conservation laboratories and then the exhibition centre at eastern end of the site.

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The main materials used in the building are: facing bricks for the main structural walls, corten steel panels on some featured elevations (also acting as sun-screens), glass on building frontages and concrete for walkways. Bricks are used as the main building material to fit in with the overall character of the streets. Corten steel solar-shading panels are used to promote a controlled environment for the laboratories. Its colour is also important as it blends well with bricks and has a rustic and aged appearance. While the material used for the circulation walkways is concrete, creating a muted and unimposing appearance. The scheme uses minimal range of materials to make the overall appearance simple and fitted to the surroundings.