Inside, the museum is home to photography collections, ephemera, objects, and even airplanes, optimizing storage and preservation for 500,000 items of all shapes and sizes. With its sloped floors, angled walls, rough joints, and exposed concrete, the visitor experience encourages reflection and remembrance.

One of the notable spaces in the building is the Hall of Remembrance, which honours veterans and the lives that were lost during the two World Wars. The hall is positioned at the exact spot where, on November 11 at 11:00 a.m., the path of the sun penetrates the hall to illuminate the original headstone of the Unknown Soldier. The chamber incorporates horizontal and vertical planes of limestone to bring strength, balance, and stillness while meditating on Canada’s history.