Virtual 3D reconstruction of the Polish town of Strumień from the 1930s

For many years I have dreamed of going back in time and walking through the streets of my hometown where my ancestors lived and were experiencing their worries and joys. I remember, in my childhood, I shared my grandad's excitement when we heard the clatter of the horses' hooves on the iron bridge. We ran quickly towards the gate just to watch them. For me, they were majestic animals, but in him, they were evoking memories and emotions.

The back of this photo has the inscription "Our brave Janka 5.7.43." The horse belonging to my grandad's family was part of the family history.

Why is that important to me?

I was significantly influenced by the stories I listened to for hours from my grandma Andzia's youth, born in 1922. Grandma was my emotional support. Her stories instilled curiosity and a desire to look into the past. That's why this project is so close to my heart.

Bit of history

The town’s name – Strumień, means in English “the stream.” It derives from a stream mentioned for the first time in 1293 that vanished and no longer exists. It was also unofficially called the capital of the “Frog Land” as many wetlands and ponds were nearby.

“Even after World War II, it happened that cows, goats or geese were driven through the market square nibbled on the grass growing here and there because the traffic was minimal” ("Kalendarz Cieszyński" 1985)

Town changes its name

In 1918 Poland regained its independence after more than a century of partitions by Russia, Prussia, and Austria-Hungary. Finally, the town was returned to its Polish name – Strumień – after years of being renamed Schwarzwasser by the Austrians who occupied that territory. In the 1930s, it was developing. New houses were built, and businesses were created, but it was also struggling as Strumień was one of the poorer towns in Silesia during the interwar period. The inhabitants lived oblivious that soon, in 1939, there would be another war. Turbulent times during which the town’s name will be Schwarzwasser on maps once again.

Approach to the project

Old photographs have always captivated me with their unique atmosphere, and my goal for this project is to recreate that realism in 3D. Old photographs have always captivated me with their unique atmosphere, and my goal for this project is to recreate that realism in 3D. For me, this project is a form of heritage interpretation - using 1931 maps, technical plans, and residents' stories not just to rebuild buildings, but to bring the heritage of Strumień back to life.
While the final goal is a 3D environment, my process also includes creating interactive 2D experiences. These serve as both a research tool and a visual analysis phase, allowing me to map out the town’s history and narratives before they take their final three-dimensional form. This interactive layer acts as a gateway, introducing you to the stories of Strumień through a curated, historical lens.

Appreciation

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who supports this vision—from those sharing their substantive knowledge of the town’s history and private collections to those helping me delve into the archives.
I am also incredibly grateful to my mentors at Limit Break Mentorship. Their expertise in game development and their valuable feedback have been vital to my growth throughout this learning process.

This journey started with a dream, and while the process is challenging, it gives me much joy, especially with the support of others.

What to expect

I invite you to join me on this journey. In the following blog posts, I will share:

• Historic Gems: Fascinating facts about Strumień and the personal stories of its people
• Interactive Foundations: Bridging the gap between research and storytelling through multimedia experiences
• The 3D Pipeline: My progress in building assets—from modeling and texturing to lighting
• Technical Deep Dives: Experiments with photogrammetry, Gaussian Splatting, and new software techniques
• Collaborative Roots: My work with key individuals and residents to gather unique reference materials
• Behind the Scenes: My design choices, the problems I encounter, and the creative ways I solve them

I also encourage you to participate in my project. If anyone would like to share materials or information or have any questions, please reach out and contact me.