How Gaussian Splatting Preserved a 60-Year-Old Photo Studio in 3D — Aholo 3D Practice

In the heart of Chenjiaqiao South Street in Hangzhou, a small photo studio stood for over 60 years. Its owner, Grandpa Ahu, spent half a century behind the lens, capturing the smiles of generations. When the studio faced its final days due to Grandpa Ahu’s health, the Aholo 3D team stepped in to ensure this "container of memories" would never truly close.

Using the latest 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) technology, we created a digital time capsule—a photorealistic 3D replica that allows anyone to step back into that sunlit room, even after the physical doors have shut.

The Last Portrait: A Photo Studio's Farewell

Grandpa Ahu’s studio was more than a business; it was a cornerstone of the Sandun community. Knowing he had to say goodbye, Grandpa Ahu wished for one last warm gathering with his old neighbors and the film negatives that defined his life.

Recognizing the urgency of preserving this fleeting piece of history, Aholo engineers used digital twin technology to press "pause" on time. The result is the "Cloud Photo Studio," a virtual space that remains perpetually open in the digital realm.

Why This Space Deserved to Be Remembered

Preserving such a location goes beyond technical curiosity. It is about:

• Community Heritage: Protecting the landmarks that define local identity.
• Local History: Documenting the evolution of urban life through its smallest shops.
• Memory Preservation: Turning a transient physical moment into a permanent digital legacy.

How Aholo Reconstructed the Studio with Gaussian Splatting

The Capture Process: Simplicity Through the Scanner

The reconstruction didn't require a Hollywood-sized crew. Using the professional LiDAR scanner, our team performed a comprehensive walkthrough of the studio. By capturing the space from multiple angles—from the weathered sign out front to the dusty frames on the walls—the scanner gathered the raw visual data needed to feed the 3DGS algorithms. The process is as intuitive as recording a video, making professional-grade 3D capture accessible to everyone.

From Photos to Learned Gaussians

Unlike traditional 3D modeling, which relies on manual "polygons" or "meshes" that often lose fine texture, 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) represents the world as millions of "Gaussian points."

By processing the data from the scanner, Aholo’s system calculates the position, opacity, and color of these points. This allows us to replicate complex lighting, the subtle grain of old wood, and the translucent quality of dust motes in the air—details that traditional photogrammetry often fails to capture.

Mesh + 3DGS Hybrid Rendering

To ensure the experience is both beautiful and functional, Aholo utilizes a proprietary Mesh + 3DGS Hybrid Rendering technology. This approach combines the structural stability of Mesh with the photorealistic radiance of 3DGS. The result? A high-precision 3D scene that users can navigate smoothly on any device—even a smartphone—without lag or visual artifacts.

Results: A Photo Studio That Never Closes

The digital reconstruction is breathtakingly faithful. In the **interactive 3D experience**, you can: * Walk through the front door and see the light hitting the vintage cameras. * Zoom in on individual portraits pinned to the walls. * Experience a **virtual walkthrough** that feels indistinguishable from being there in person.

We haven't just saved a set of coordinates; we’ve saved the atmosphere of Grandpa Ahu’s life’s work.

Beyond This Story: The Future of Memory Preservation & Digital Legacy

The success of the Hangzhou photo studio project marks a new era for digital legacy. This technology isn't just for historical landmarks; it's for the spaces that matter to you:

• Family Memories: Digitally preserve your childhood home or a grandparent’s garden.
• Historic Businesses: Keep the spirit of local legends alive.
• Urban Heritage: Document streets and buildings before they are changed by modernization.
• Museums & Virtual Tourism: Create immersive exhibits that anyone in the world can visit.

Start Preserving the Places That Matter

Time may take the physical walls, but technology offers a second chance. Those spaces that are destined to disappear don't have to remain only in our minds.

With Aholo App, anyone can transform meaningful spaces into immersive 3D memories using Gaussian Splatting technology. Whether it’s a corner of your favorite bookstore or a cherished family room, you can preserve memories in 3D and create digital memories that last forever.

Download the Aholo 3D App today and start your own preservation journey. Available on iOS and Android.