The institute's heritage-listed building, located in Acton, Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia, has been occupied by the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) since October 1984.

The main building is of Late 20th Century Stripped Classical style and has some of the finest examples in Australia of nationalistic Australian Art Deco design and detailing with an array of intact characteristics such as vivid decorative elements that serve no particular function, vertical straight lines, low-relief sculptures and zigzags.

[1] As the Institute of Anatomy, it was one of the key public buildings provided by the Federal Capital Commission in the first phase of Canberra's development, built to broaden national interest and establish the city as a centre of archives and collections.

Founded and directed by Colin MacKenzie until 1937, the Institute became internationally known, attracting visitors, endowed lectures and additions to its collection.

This organisation is widely regarded by the public for its efforts to conserve and promote Australian culture as represented in film, television, radio and sound recordings.

In addition to discs, films, videos, audio tapes, phonograph cylinders and wire recordings, the Archive's collection includes supporting documents and artefacts, such as photographic stills, transparencies, posters, lobby cards, publicity, scripts, costumes, props, memorabilia and sound, video and film equipment.

Tiled panels beneath the windows at the front of the building have blue and green motifs which resemble Aboriginal bark paintings.

Face masks of well-known scientists of the era are featured on the foyer's walls as a reminder of its previous incarnation as the Institute of Anatomy.

Each area is decorated in geometric art deco patterns, a feature repeated throughout the building in its doors, ventilators and light fittings.

Every effort has been made to retain the heritage aspects of the building in its use as a modern archive, including renovation works on the sandstone facade in 2019.

The foyer walls feature twelve scientists (two of which are death masks): In 1999, with the National Film and Sound Archive, its then occupant, needing additional space, the building's large triple-level rear wing was opened.