The building's six mountainous forms seamlessly blend into the site’s majestic mountainous silhouette. The forms recall the clustered typology of Afghanistan's nomadic culture - Tents, Huts and Yurts that dot open fields and rolling plains. Each form is home to a specific program - an exhibition hall, a performance hall, classrooms, and a workshop studio, that opens up to a courtyard or plaza overlooking the Bamiyan Valley. They are connected by a linear cliff-like base with punched openings recalling the more rectangular nature of sedentary homes and the carved out cave architecture of the adjacent Buddha cliff and Bamiyan Valley. Both mountainous and cliff forms converge under a triangular sky-lit peak that shine like beacons in the evening. 

The Bamiyan Cultural Center’s linear design, its six peaks and roof terraces, powerfully integrates panoramic and framed views out into the majestic landscape. The design also enhances views into a collection of landscaped courtyards that house artifacts and art work creating opportunities for people to gather, experience and participate in the expression of art and other events.

The main entrance is reached through the Bamiyan World Heritage Terracing Plaza which exhibits artifacts from the surrounding Bamiyan World Heritage Property. Oasis-type gardens exhibit artifacts from throughout Afghanistan while a series of intermediate exhibition, art and performance courtyards enriches the Center’s program flexibility and opportunity for various activities and exhibitions. 

The Center employs a moment-resisting reinforced concrete frame laterally braced by reinforced concrete block and articulated brick. It provides thermal mass for its occupants by regulating heat during winter, and coolness in the summer. 
The building is naturally and passively ventilated in summer through windows and skylights acting as solar chimneys reminiscent of local wind towers.

Its linear design and large windows allow all spaces to be naturally lit. A south facing concrete block screen allows in winter sun and blocks out summer sun from the Offices and Research Library, while the skylights filters natural daylight entering the Exhibition Space, Workshop Studio and Classrooms. Light is further propagated through the use of polished concrete floor and white walls.