The new building, designed by architects Whitfield Partners, has been carefully sited to associate with the adjacent west front of the Cathedral and the gateway to the Bishop's Palace.  It also provides a new focus at the south end of Broad Street.  The design acknowledges the character of the Cathedral and cloister and is a simple expression of structural forms that uses traditional materials.

Constructed in Derbyshire sandstone, the new building has pitched roofs covered in Westmoreland slate and lead.  The upper floor is of timber construction with Herefordshire oak trusses supporting a cedar lined roof.  The oak frame is expressed externally in the link structure and the end gable frames.

In order to protect the Cathedral treasures, the building incorporates sophisticated environmental design.  Wherever possible, passive measures have been adopted in the design of the building structure; thick, highly insulated walls and small window openings.