The museum, rising against the hills like a ziggurat, extends over 6,000 m² (65,000 sq ft).
It is built to a square plan with galleries organised on the ground level around the central exhibition area.
In addition to the entrance hall and offices, the building consists of a sculpture gallery, several sky-lit galleries and seven small display rooms.
The roof is set above the central hall which rises in the form of a pyramid, providing a skylight in the form of a crown-shaped lantern.
Both sides of the central hall have lobbies or galleries which are well lit by natural light while the rear can be divided into smaller rooms by means of flexible walls.

The combination of strategically placed skylights and diffused lighting has effectively "manipulated the Nordic light" in illuminating the galleries, relying on a series of reflectors and light-coloured materials.
The "two-sided, elongated skylights" control the sunlight on the southern side to a restricted angle of 56 degrees whereas it is fully open at a 90-degree angle on its northern side.
The ceiling has suspended lights with double parabolic reflecting surfaces, avoiding any shadows.
The music room in the main building is fitted with prism-shaped skylights.
The light, as it gets deflected from the screens, walls and boards induces diffused lighting of the open spaces of the museum, gaining the name of a "light machine".
The quality of the light adapts to the needs of day and night.

The basement below the structure fits the natural ground profile and is used for a car park, a restaurant, two lecture rooms, and a maintenance workshop.

The building has been designed in response to its natural context.
The external facade is made of marble, glass, wood, and copper sheeting.

Most of the interior floor space and pavement are of Carrara marble.
The light colours of the materials have been chosen to enhance the appearance of the art works.
The main building also houses a children's museum.
The museum, rising against the hills like a ziggurat, extends over 6,000 m² (65,000 sq ft). It is built to a square plan with galleries organised on the ground level around the central exhibition area. In addition to the entrance hall and offices, the building consists of a sculpture gallery, several sky-lit galleries and seven small display rooms. The roof is set above the central hall which rises in the form of a pyramid, providing a skylight in the form of a crown-shaped lantern. Both sides of the central hall have lobbies or galleries which are well lit by natural light while the rear can be divided into smaller rooms by means of flexible walls.
The combination of strategically placed skylights and diffused lighting has effectively "manipulated the Nordic light" in illuminating the galleries, relying on a series of reflectors and light-coloured materials. The "two-sided, elongated skylights" control the sunlight on the southern side to a restricted angle of 56 degrees whereas it is fully open at a 90-degree angle on its northern side. The ceiling has suspended lights with double parabolic reflecting surfaces, avoiding any shadows. The music room in the main building is fitted with prism-shaped skylights. The light, as it gets deflected from the screens, walls and boards induces diffused lighting of the open spaces of the museum, gaining the name of a "light machine". The quality of the light adapts to the needs of day and night.
The basement below the structure fits the natural ground profile and is used for a car park, a restaurant, two lecture rooms, and a maintenance workshop.
The building has been designed in response to its natural context. The external facade is made of marble, glass, wood, and copper sheeting.
Most of the interior floor space and pavement are of Carrara marble. The light colours of the materials have been chosen to enhance the appearance of the art works. The main building also houses a children's museum.
KUNSTEN Museum of Modern Art Aalborg