The Tanghalan is a primary example of the architect's signature style known as the floating volume, a trait can be seen in structures indigenous to the Philippines such as the nipa hut.

It houses three performing arts venues, one theater for film screenings, galleries, a museum and the center's library and archives.

Being a work of a National Artist, the brutalist structure is qualified to be an important cultural landmark as stipulated in Republic Act No.

[2] The façade of the Tanghalang Pambansa is dominated by a two-storey travertine block suspended 12 meters (39 ft) high by deep concave cantilevers on three sides.

From the pedestrian entrance, Arturo Luz's Black and White is displayed as spectators enter the little theater or ascend to the main lobby through a massive carpeted spiral staircase.

[5][6] In defense of the design, Andy Locsin (a partner of his father's firm) explained that the decision of raising the whole structure on the podium (and consequently, the addition of the ramp) was in response to the high sea levels on the reclaimed land, and was not intended to promote an elitist view of art and culture.

It was built to accommodate sound requirements of various types of presentations, and can typically hold opera and orchestra performances without further amplification.

[9] New York Times critic Howard Taubman praised the theater's acoustical flexibility in his review of the center's opening night, writing that the architect and his team seem to have built a venue "that will be equally congenial for drama, instrumental and vocal music and dance.

[11] The stage curtain is a tapestry woven in Kyoto, Japan, based on a painting of Roberto Chabet, visual artist and former director of the CCP Museum.

The museum also presents special changing exhibitions, provides curatorial assistance, and organizes workshops on indigenous art forms.