The site, an oddly shaped 1.3 acres, at the northernmost end of a shopping plaza, was gifted by the City to "jump start" a Culture Park. The City aspires to add a Concert Hall and an outdoor Amphitheater. The perimeter 2-story colonnade of the Amphitheater is to function as a "unifying element".

The Museum's entry point responds to the concept of the Culture Park. The Entrance Courtyard was designed to satisfy two needs - establishment of an ambiance unique to the Museum and separate access for children anticipated in the Educational Program.

The social needs of the Museum demand spaces with natural light and a strong sense of community. The Main Hall, a forty-foot high space filled with light from the Entrance Courtyard and from the light monitor above, connects visitors to the first and second floor Galleries, Meeting Room and Gift Shop.

The exhibits require spaces with controlled light, temperature and humidity. The galleries, away from natural light, are organized to fit the needs of the Museum with flexible spaces for traveling exhibits on the first floor and divided display spaces for the permanent collection on the second. 

The design focuses on the image and shape of ongoing life, using ornamentation created out of the nature of the material itself, light, geometry and function.