The old Marmolejo spa in Jaén represents one of those places where history has left a deep mark. What was a center of rest and well-being in times of peace transformed into a military hospital during the Spanish Civil War, charging its walls with countless human stories. 🏥
Digitally recreating this iconic building is not just a technical exercise, but an emotional journey that allows us to connect with the past through contemporary visualization tools. Every window, every column, every architectural detail speaks of its dual identity as a spa and as a war hospital.
Modeling history requires both technical precision and historical sensitivity.
The Preparation: Documentation and Research
Before opening 3ds Max, any historical reconstruction project requires an exhaustive documentation phase. Old and contemporary photographs, architectural plans when available, and historical testimonies become our main references.
For this specific case, it is essential:
- to study the building's transformation during the war conflict
- to document the original architectural elements
- to research the vegetation and surroundings of the era
- to understand the internal layout as a hospital
Building the Structure in 3ds Max
The modeling process begins with the creation of basic geometries that define the main volume of the spa. Precision in this stage will determine the credibility of the final result, especially in projects with historical weight.
The recommended workflow includes:
- correct setup of metric units
- blocking volumes with standard primitives
- progressive refinement with Edit Poly
- special attention to distinctive architectural elements
Bringing the Scene to Life: Materials and Atmosphere
Texturing must reflect the passage of time and the building's uses. It's not just about applying realistic materials, but about conveying that duality between original elegance and historical deterioration. The walls must tell stories through their imperfections.
For lighting, systems like V-Ray or Arnold allow recreating that Andalusian light that bathes the construction, but we can also play with more dramatic atmospheres that evoke its wartime past. Strategic camera placement helps emphasize the historical narrative we want to communicate.
The Finishing Touch: Post-Production with Soul
The post-production phase in Photoshop or similar tools is where the project's emotional weight truly crystallizes. Color adjustments that suggest the passage of time, addition of atmospheric elements like mist or dust, and small details that reinforce the historical narrative.
And so, among vertices and normal maps, we discover that 3D visualization can be much more than a technical tool: it becomes a time machine that allows us to rescue entire pieces of our collective memory from oblivion. The paradox of using futuristic technology to preserve the past. 🕰️