The new museum stands on the foundations of the old fortress. It therefore follows the same arrowhead plan layout of the former "Fort Thüngen", which has been partly restored and converted
to a fort museum. The illuminated moats now glow magically underneath the bridges leading to the museum entrance at the northeast point of the building.

The museum layout is easily comprehensible, offering commensurate space for all important art genres on three floor levels; passages, footbridges and stairways dramatically connect the large halls and small studios. Two spacious sky-lit halls provide classic painting gallery conditions, whereas the windowless rooms on the basement level offer space for media-intensive art forms.