Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III set the foundation stone on 19 November 1952,[2] and it was finished in August 1953, completely furnished in the style of classic concrete colonial architecture.

This is thought to be a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, representing both the colonial architectural style and the period of time when it was built under the British Residency.

[10] Its colonnaded front verandah, which is decorated with Brunei emblem, and its three pylon entrances combine traditional British and minimalist Egyptian architectural feature.

Each pylon's parapet facing Taman Sir Omar 'Ali Saifuddien is adorned with relief sculptures that represent historical and indigenous scenes from Brunei.

The Italian sculptor Rudolfo Nolli created these carvings that depict customary Bruneian pursuits including farming, metalworking, and fabric weaving, summarizing the locals' means of subsistence.