HERITAGE INTERPRETATION & PLACE MAKING

Interpretation Strategies—decoding and illustrating the specialness of place

In heritage practice, interpretation is the art of storytelling: an interactive process that reveals the cultural significance of a place or item. Good interpretation enriches understanding, deepens appreciation, and connects people to the historic environment.

From crumbling industrial complexes to vernacular streetscapes and treasured community landmarks, every place can be animated through thoughtful interpretation. When well conceived, interpretation supports conservation, elevates design, and gives heritage sites lasting impact and meaning.

At Touring the Past, we pride ourselves on interpretive innovation. Our Interpretation Strategies are inventive, engaging, and achievable—designed to resonate with communities and unlock the place-making potential of heritage.

Interpretative Plans & Content Development—the nuts-and-bolts of interpretation

At Touring the Past, we believe interpretation is about people and ideas — not simply the latest technological trend. Still, we recognise that the medium can be the message: strong thematic content must work hand-in-hand with good design to truly engage imagination.

We develop content in-house or in collaboration with multi-disciplinary designers and fabricators to create experiences that resonate across cultures and generations, while sharpening a distinctive sense of place.

This stage — often called an Interpretation Plan — translates ideas into tangible outcomes. Through research-based writing and design, we shape panels and signage, digital media, publications, tours, exhibitions, artworks, and reconstructed elements that bring heritage sites vividly to life