THE MEXICO MUSEUM THAT INSPIRED A PREHISTORIC RENOVATION
This is a story about origins. Not just the origins of a design concept, but of humanity itself. we reimagined a private residence through the lens of North American prehistory, drawing from the raw beauty of stone, wood, leather, and earth, and refining them into a modern living space. Inspired by research at the world-renowned Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, thIS home ONCE COMPLETED WILL nod to civilizations long past while creating an immersive environment for today.
FROM FIELD-NOTES TO FLOOR PLANS
Charles Vesley | Head of Design:
When the client first asked us to create a home inspired by North American prehistory, I’ll be honest, I lit up. Most projects are about modern comfort, or maybe a MAIN STREAM DESIGN STYLE. This one was about pulling from 3,000 to 10,000 BC, when humans were just beginning to shape their environments. It wasn’t about “style” so much as rediscovering THE origins of HUMANITY.
TIM STANTON | Head of BRAND:
And that’s what makes it so compelling. It’s not just a design project, it’s a HISTORICAL narrative. When we decided to go to the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, that was the breakthrough. We weren’t chasing a “look.” We were immersing ourselves in the stories of civilizations that understood space, materials, and symbolism long before design was a profession.
Client Vision
PREHISTORIC BOLDNESS
A bold, atmospheric design inspired by North American cave art, blending abstract and storytelling murals with moody lighting.
SIGNATURE ELEMENTS
Mammoth tusks, fossils, and Neanderthal tools displayed in a curated, museum-style way, anchored by raw materials like stone, wood, leather, and faux furs.
FUNCTIONALITY
dining table, ample living room seating, and a screen-free environment to create a gathering-focused space designed for immersive hosting.
LIVING ROOM TO LIVING STORY
CV:
That trip changed how we thought about the material palette. Stone, wood, leather, earth—these weren’t just finishes. They became the backbone of the space. And when you start layering in primitive forms, sculptural accents, even replicas of mammoth tusks or Neanderthal tools, it’s not kitschY, it’s homage. It’s grounding.
TS:
And then you framed it like an exhibition. That’s the brilliance. Artifacts curated almost like a museum display, but embedded into daily life. It elevates the experience for anyone who steps into the home. They WONT just BE walking into a living room, they’re walking into a living story.
PRIMITIVE, BUT NOT CRUDE
CV:
And the surprising thing is how livable it feels. Primitive doesn’t mean crude. We refined textures, curated color tones, and softened the cave inspiration into something timeless and sophisticated. It’s history distilled into a modern language.
TS:
it makes the home a conversation piece in the truest sense. It’s rare in residential design to see a space that is both a retreat and a provocation, comfortable enough for hosting, but layered with meaning that sparks dialogue. That’s whY this project is so unique. It dares to look backward in order to create something completely new.
