🏛️Villa Cornelius: 3D technology for cultural preservation
- Marco Virtual
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
In 2022, from Valencia, Spain , architect José Luis Crespo contacted us with a special proposal: to digitally recreate the Villa Cornelius , an ancient Roman villa discovered in previous excavations, currently located under a railway track.
A historical recreation project with a digital approach
At Marco Virtual MX we take on the challenge of uniting archaeological documentation with current 3D visualization techniques and interactive web deployment .
The project didn't just focus on aesthetics: it also sought to offer a faithful, educational experience open to future expansion within the digital environment.
Teamwork and professional development
Together with Marcela Urmeneta , co-director of Marco Virtual, we developed this project for more than six months, working directly with the client in each phase: from the analysis of plans and photographs, to the integration into multi-device platforms compatible with virtual reality .
Archaeological research applied to 3D modeling
We analyzed original plans, excavation photographs, and historical references from the Roman period. This documentary foundation was essential for making decisions about proportions, materials, and spatial distribution, ensuring that the digital recreation of the villa was grounded in reality.
Professional 3D modeling in Blender
The entire Roman villa was modeled in Blender , taking care of every detail:
Columns, temples, porticos and tiled roofs
Interior gardens, wells and fountains
Stairs, hallways, walls and decorations
Statues adapted to the classical style
This process combined technical precision with optimization for browsers and virtual reality, ensuring a seamless experience across multiple devices.
Realistic texturing with historical materials
Using Substance Painter, we generate detailed PBR materials, including stucco, marble, ceramics, wood, and metals, while also applying natural weathering to reflect the archaeological context.
Each texture was designed to integrate without loss of quality into interactive and real-time environments.
Integration with real geographical environment
Using QGIS and Blender GIS, we located the villa in its original setting using real coordinate and altitude data. This allowed us to generate cinematic renderings in D5 Render , simulating the natural light and landscape of the area today.
Publishing to the Metaverse with Spatial.io
To enable access from anywhere, we integrated the entire tour into Spatial.io , an interactive virtual environment platform compatible with:
Web browsers
PC - Laptop
Mobile devices
Virtual and augmented reality
The models were optimized in Unity , using Spatial Toolkit to add interaction, guided tours, points of interest and appropriate setting.
Technical advice to the client
We provided comprehensive mentoring to José Luis Crespo so he could update the space, incorporate educational content, and organize virtual tours.
Highlights of the 3D environment
Among the recreated spaces are:
🌿 Central gardens and Mediterranean vegetation
🏛 Columns and structures with classical architecture
🧱 Stone walls with textured finishes
💧 Realistic fountain and water well
🗿 Sculptures and historical monuments
🧭 Land with real orientation and geographic data
A digital model with educational and cultural value
The surroundings of Villa Cornelius can serve as:
Tool for history, archaeology and architecture classes
Digital resource for museums, institutions or educational centers
Accessible platform for cultural dissemination from home
Base for future expansions with other heritage elements
Technology at the service of history
This project demonstrates how professional 3D modeling , together with tools such as Unity, Blender and Spatial.io , can transform the way we explore and share heritage.
At Marco Virtual, we are committed to solutions that preserve the cultural value of historic spaces , allowing more people to discover, explore, and learn from them, no matter where they are.
📚 Related Articles
Here you can find publications and articles from the project, with interesting images and content on 3D technology for cultural preservation:
3D technology for cultural preservation
Villa Cornelius Metaverse:
VILLA CORNELIVS - ÈNOVA
Villa Cornelius: from the excavation to the exhibition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWTeGFDXGAw&ab_channel=MuseudePrehist%C3%B2riadeVal%C3%A8ncia
🧠 Are you interested in developing something similar?
Whether it's a historical reenactment, an educational experience, or a custom virtual tour, we help you turn your vision into a functional and accessible 3D environment .
José Ripalda
Managing director
Marco Virtual
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