Demystifying Muarajambi
National Geographic
We helped National Geographic create a digital 3D experience of a temple in Maurajambi, one of the largest ancient Buddhist temple complexes in Indonesia. Our goal was to let people get a tangible experience at one of Maurajambi's many temple sites, complementing the text and narrative of the larger story of this important heritage.
To help people see part of the surroundings of the temple structure, we kept part of the jungle trees and surrounding vegetation as a low-resolution point cloud. This added a sense of digital ambience to the 3D-model, acting like a fade between realism and pixels.
Field Capture
Our fieldwork included actually scanning the full temple and site of Candi Tinggi. We used ground-based photogrammetry to capture a large dataset with full detail down to the last brick of the structure.
We processed the data to create a detailed, lifelike model, then optimized it for performance across devices to reach a broad audience. This involved creating a massive 3D-model, and then simplifying it enough to be usable on a low-end smartphone. By programming an interactive online layer on top of the model, we allow users to interactively explore the temple, revealing insights through clickable points and navigable views.
Services we have provided
Story development
We specialize in developing stories for immersive formats, letting the audience step into the story and interact with it.
Immersive production
We capture, produce and publish content within all fields of the immersive space - from 360-video to interactive virtual reality.
3D and Reality Capture
We bring back high-resolution 3D assets from all over the world, using photogrammetry, lidar and reality capture.
User Experience
We ensured the Candi Tinggi experience was accessible across devices, so users could seamlessly explore it from desktops, tablets, and phones. Interactive features like navigable views and informational points enhance engagement, providing users with detailed insights into the temple’s history. This design supports cultural preservation while allowing global audiences to experience Muarajambi’s heritage firsthand.
Impact
Our work on the Candi Tinggi model has made Muarajambi’s cultural significance widely accessible, with positive feedback from both National Geographic and its readers. The project bridges heritage and technology, setting a precedent for future digital preservation initiatives. This approach to 3D modeling makes historic sites more accessible, allowing audiences to explore and appreciate cultural treasures remotely.
Get in touch
Do you want to learn more about immersive storytelling? Perhaps you already have a project idea?