Mediating heritage through design: Participatory approaches to post-digital transformation

This research explores how design mediates the digital transformation of cultural heritage through hybrid and multisensory installations in archaeological contexts. Using the Case Romane del Celio in Rome as a pilot site for the European project HeritAdapt, it aims to redistribute visitor flows and promote sustainable tourism by enhancing the intangible value of minor sites. The study contributes to the post-digital museology debate by framing design as a critical, participatory practice operating across physical and virtual dimensions, fostering collaboration among engineering, management and restoration. Combining Service Design, Extended Reality and Artificial Intelligence technologies, qualitative research and iterative prototyping guided the creation of an integrated experience along the entire visitor journey. The approach seeks symbiotic interventions that ensure long-term sustainability, stakeholder involvement, storytelling-based engagement, heritage preservation and promotion. Following a testing phase, the project will develop toolkits and guidelines for GLAMs, enabling adaptable, accessible, and context-grounded digital interventions in heritage scenarios. © 2026, Design Research Society. All rights reserved.