Behind the Build: Exploring historical monuments in WebAR, anytime, anywhere

Have you ever wished you could step inside a historical monument that’s normally off-limits? Thanks to Niantic Studio, Gaussian splats, and Niantic VPS, you can now explore these spaces anytime, anywhere—no special access required. Developer Stijn Spanhove created an innovative WebAR experience that brings historical sites to life by allowing users to peer inside landmarks using 3D scans.

We sat down with Stijn to dive into his process and explore how he combined Niantic Scaniverse, SuperSplat, and Niantic Studio to create a seamless, location-anchored experience.

What inspired you to create Inside Out 24/7?
I wanted to make history more accessible and immersive for everyone. Many historical sites have restricted access, limited hours, or fragile interiors that can't be explored up close. I saw AR as a way to bridge that gap—allowing people to see inside these spaces without physically being there. The challenge of blending Gaussian splats, VPS, and real-world positioning was exciting, and I was motivated by the idea of preserving history while innovating how we interact with it.

How did Niantic Studio help bring your vision to life?
The biggest advantage was Niantic’s VPS, which let me anchor the experience to real-world locations with extreme accuracy. This ensured the 3D scans aligned perfectly with the real monuments, making the AR experience feel natural and immersive.

Other key tools included:

• Niantic Scaniverse – Used for capturing detailed 3D scans of both interiors and exteriors of the monuments.
• SuperSplat – Allowed me to edit and refine the Gaussian splats before importing them into Niantic Studio.
• The open-source .spz file format – Enabled me to optimize and modify 3D scans for better performance.
• Niantic Studio Simulator– Let me test and iterate quickly, without having to physically be at the site every time.
  

What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges was capturing precise 3D scans that worked well for AR. To get the best results:

• I used Scaniverse for detailed interior scans.
• I flew a drone to capture high-quality exterior scans, which I then used as a hider material in Niantic Studio.
• I optimized the scans using SuperSplat and converted them into Niantic’s .spz format, ensuring they were lightweight and efficient for AR rendering.
  

Another challenge was ensuring a smooth user experience—I had to carefully calibrate the placement and occlusion effects to make sure users could seamlessly explore the inside of a monument from the outside without obstruction.

Step-by-Step: How I created this experience

1. Capture high-quality 3D scans: 

• Used Scaniverse for interiors and a drone for exteriors.
• Focused on capturing multiple angles for the best reconstruction.
  

2. Edit & optimize the 3D data

• Exported the scans in PLY format and refined them with SuperSplat.
• Used the open-source .spz file format to ensure lightweight, high-quality AR rendering.
  

3. Import into Niantic Studio

• Converted the optimized scans back into .spz format and imported them.
• Used a hider material to make the interior reveal only visible from the outside.
  

4. Anchor the experience with VPS

• Aligned the 3D model with real-world coordinates to ensure a perfect fit.
• Used Niantic Studio’s simulator to refine the positioning before testing on location.
  

5. Test & iterate

• Ensured smooth performance, user interactions, and accurate placement.
• Adjusted occlusions and transparency to enhance the viewing experience.
  

What advice do you have for other developers interested in real-world AR experiences?

• Just start experimenting. Try out Niantic Studio and test its features—you’ll learn a lot by building.
• Think about how AR truly enhances reality. It’s not just about placing objects; it’s about revealing new perspectives.
• Use existing tools. SuperSplat, Niantic Scaniverse, and the open-source .spz format are great starting points.
• Test, refine, and iterate. Small changes in scan quality or VPS calibration can make a huge difference.
  

Where do you see the future of AR going, and how does Niantic Studio fit into that vision?

AR is moving toward a future where digital and physical worlds blend seamlessly. Tools like VPS and Gaussian splats make it possible to create historical, educational, and location-based experiences that feel real and interactive.

Niantic Studio enables independent creators, historians, and developers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AR—allowing us to preserve history in new and meaningful ways.

Ready to explore history like never before?

This project is just the beginning of what’s possible with AR, VPS, and Gaussian splats. If you’re inspired to build your own real-world AR experience, get started with Niantic Studio today!

🔗 Check out more developer projects and sample templates here 

Stay curious, keep building, and bring history to life!