ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a comprehensive exploration of a socio-material outlook for integrating intangible heritage into built heritage conservation practices. The chapter proposes three overarching guidelines to address the complexities and barriers associated with conceptualising and safeguarding intangible heritage within a Western built heritage paradigm. The chapter proposes three guidelines: advancing intangible heritage in conservation concepts and methods, supporting practitioner dissemination of intangible heritage, and practitioner participation in intangible heritage practices. The focus is primarily on the first guideline, which focuses on advancing intangible heritage in conservation concepts and methods, serving as the foundation for practitioner dissemination and participation. The chapter discusses an alternative conceptual model cantered around storytelling to overcome the perceived duality between the building fabric and human experiences. It also presents a spectrum of five alternative methodological strategies − memorialisation, simulation, translation, innovation, and commemoration − for the conservation and adaptation of heritage buildings. These strategies aim to connect the physicality of heritage buildings with their associated stories. It concludes by highlighting the importance of multi-strategy approaches, contextual relevance, and flexibility in conservation methods, and underscores the need for meaningful engagement through intangible practices that transcends superficial aesthetics and material technology.
