Set into a steep hillside, the building is cross shaped. It cantilevers over the edge of the site to create shaded social areas underneath the exhibition space. A permeable brick façade provides natural ventilation and filters out the sunlight. The design of the building looks like an unfolded box.
The museum will provide space for art exhibitions and will also act as a storage, packing and restoration facility that will be open to the public.
The Tamayo Museum is named after Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo, whose private collection is exhibited at the existing Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum in Mexico City.