Breasted insisted that a well-known architect design the new museum. Austen St. Barbe Harrison (1890-1976), Chief Architect of the Public Works Department of the Mandatory Government from 1923 to 1937, was chosen. Harrison was responsible for the design of several outstanding buildings in Jerusalem – Government House in the Talpiot neighborhood and the Main Post Office on Jaffa Road - and the Haifa Courthouse.

Harrison began his professional career in India where he first developed his idea for incorporating different architectural styles, both eastern and western. In India, Harrison participated in designing the National Museum of New Delhi. He left Israel for Malta where he built a number of impressive public buildings.

Harrison’s style is defined as “Mediterranean Modernism” – a blend of colonial ostentation and local architectural traditions. His buildings are characterized by a classical construction style, with a tendency toward symmetry and straight lines. He incorporated local scenery and used traditional building materials. Harrison viewed the architectural tradition of Eretz-Israel in the wider cultural and historical framework of Mediterranean and eastern styles, which then were combined into a wide repertoire of forms.

Harrison’s eclectic style is expressed in many elements of the museum building: stone cutting, round stone roofs, domes and cross arches, octagonal spaces, interior courtyards, a decorative central pool and a fountain room, a portico and colored tiles.

Harrison’s appointment as museum architect remained secret for some time. With publication of the appointment, Jewish residents expressed resentment that the position was not offered in a public tender. Harrison completed the plan in November 1927 and a special section in the Department of Public Works was set up to deal with the museum construction only. Harrison remained in the country during the entire construction period, and upon its completion in late 1937, and before the official opening, Harrison left the country.