Identitary Role of Design in the Context of Heritage Interpretation

Abstract

The contribution discusses the importance of design as a key factor in the presentation and communication of identity in the field of cultural heritage reuse. It exposes the role of design as an inseparable part of the interpretive process, which can make a key contribution to the inclusivity, experience and acceptance of a heritage object in its original social environment. The author argues that with the help of design it is possible to achieve unique products or create experiences with a strong identity message, which serve as a link between the past and the present and guide the preservation of heritage for the future. The concepts of heritage environment, context and heritage values are defined. Furthermore, the article discusses the possibility of values being exposed, re-evaluated or neglected through design approaches. In order to better understand the role and effectiveness of numerous aspects of design in the practice of interpretation, the methodological approach is multidisciplinary and is based on heritology and hermeneutics. It comprises the deductive method, which consists of the study and analysis of fundamental literature from fields that range from heritology, museology, sociology, architecture and design. Additionally, a qualitative research method is based on the analysis of case-studies. The paper addresses the ethical issue of the neglect of design practice in the area in question. It also highlights the criticism of the heritage industry and the associated issue of commercialization, and concludes with a thought about the meaning of material design in the context of the non-material conception of heritage phenomena.