Located in the historical site at the Kampong Glam Conservation Area, the Malay Heritage Centre serves as a venue to showcase the traditions and cultural practices of the Malay community through exhibitions and performances by artists and craftsmen. While the buildings are designed in a contemporary manner, it also takes reference from indigenous tropical architecture.

The Centre comprises an existing two-storey building, which was converted to a museum, and a new single-storey ancillary building surrounding the original building. The ancillary building is furnished with facilities such as a resource library, an administration office, a preparation room, workshops, a multi-purpose hall and arts courts. The open areas of the site are lushly landscaped to complement the historical context with water features, traditional pavilion and mural walls.