Co-Designing Interpretation with Community

Interpretation plays a powerful role in how people experience and understand heritage places. When developed through co-design with communities, interpretation becomes more authentic, inclusive, and meaningful.

Community-led approaches ensure local knowledge, stories, and perspectives are embedded in interpretive outcomes. This process not only strengthens cultural accuracy but also builds trust and shared ownership between communities, project teams, and site managers.

Whether through signage, digital media, or place-based storytelling, co-designed interpretation transforms heritage from static information into lived experience. By listening first and designing collaboratively, projects can create respectful and compelling visitor experiences that genuinely reflect the values of the place.

When heritage considerations are integrated early into the design process, outcomes are stronger for all stakeholders. Good heritage design does not freeze places in time; instead, it enables them to remain relevant, functional, and meaningful for future generations.