The Prehistoric Mines located at Gavá just outside Barcelona is the oldest complex of mines in Europe dating from the Neolithic period (5,000 years). The site was recognised as being of cultural interest in 1982 by the regional Catalan government. It is made up of a network of subterranean mines excavated from the local schist (metamorphic rock group) with the spaces arranged over different levels connected through wells, chambers and spacious corridors.

The formula adopted for the development of the archaeological park was one of interpretation looking at the way the mines functioned, the community who exploited them, how they used the minerals they extracted and most importantly how these people lived. The architectural project aims to resolve the museum installation with a working archaeological dig. These programmatic requirements led the architects to cover the entire area with a canopy which defines the two principal museum zones: the reception area together with visitor orientation facilities and the museum exhibition constructed over the actual excavated mines. The external skin consists of a windowless corten steel enclosure contributing to the mysterious nature of the building accommodated within.