Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age

Nathalia Lira Vergeti Peixoto; Walcler de Lima Mendes Junior; Juliana Michaello Macêdo Dias

doi:doi:10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16

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Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age

Nathalia Lira Vergeti Peixoto, Walcler de Lima Mendes Junior, Juliana Michaello Macêdo Dias^*

Published in Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 2)

Received: 5 February 2026 Accepted: 17 March 2026 Published: 31 March 2026

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Abstract

This paper presents how new technologies based on digital recreations can contribute to the preservation of architectural heritage, considering the role of three-dimensional technologies, immersive environments, and AI, proposed as tools for cultural safeguarding and dissemination. Qualitative and exploratory in nature, the study is based on bibliographic and documentary research on preservation, memory and virtuality, emphasizing potential benefits and risks related to each technology and their converging use in the field of built heritage preservation. Results indicate that the virtual does not oppose the real but extends it, functioning as a complementary language of experience and heritage mediation, as well as a tool for preserving the physical buildings themselves. Digital reconstructions and immersive experiences can enhance public access, enable remote engagement, and facilitate participatory memory-making, while AI-driven analysis assists in condition assessment, predictive maintenance, and large-scale archival organization. Thus, the convergence between digital tools and the possibility of expanding the preservation of buildings and the memories linked to them presents a special potential for the future of urban memory. In making this statement, the article understands that digital architecture can re-signify collective memory, broadening access, awareness, and engagement, by treating preservation as a hybrid process between materiality and imagination. The study also highlights ethical and epistemological challenges, such as authenticity, representation biases, data permanence, and the potential for commodification. The article concludes with recommendations for interdisciplinary frameworks, community involvement, and critical design practices to responsibly integrate digital technologies into heritage stewardship.

Published in	Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16
Page(s)	116-124
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Architectural Heritage, Digital Preservation, Virtual Reality, Collective Memory, Artificial Intelligence

References

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APA Style

Peixoto, N. L. V., Junior, W. D. L. M., Dias, J. M. M. (2026). Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age. Humanities and Social Sciences, 14(2), 116-124. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16

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ACS Style

Peixoto, N. L. V.; Junior, W. D. L. M.; Dias, J. M. M. Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2026, 14(2), 116-124. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16

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AMA Style

Peixoto NLV, Junior WDLM, Dias JMM. Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age. Humanit Soc Sci. 2026;14(2):116-124. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16

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@article{10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16,
  author = {Nathalia Lira Vergeti Peixoto and Walcler de Lima Mendes Junior and Juliana Michaello Macêdo Dias},
  title = {Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {116-124},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20261402.16},
  abstract = {This paper presents how new technologies based on digital recreations can contribute to the preservation of architectural heritage, considering the role of three-dimensional technologies, immersive environments, and AI, proposed as tools for cultural safeguarding and dissemination. Qualitative and exploratory in nature, the study is based on bibliographic and documentary research on preservation, memory and virtuality, emphasizing potential benefits and risks related to each technology and their converging use in the field of built heritage preservation. Results indicate that the virtual does not oppose the real but extends it, functioning as a complementary language of experience and heritage mediation, as well as a tool for preserving the physical buildings themselves. Digital reconstructions and immersive experiences can enhance public access, enable remote engagement, and facilitate participatory memory-making, while AI-driven analysis assists in condition assessment, predictive maintenance, and large-scale archival organization. Thus, the convergence between digital tools and the possibility of expanding the preservation of buildings and the memories linked to them presents a special potential for the future of urban memory. In making this statement, the article understands that digital architecture can re-signify collective memory, broadening access, awareness, and engagement, by treating preservation as a hybrid process between materiality and imagination. The study also highlights ethical and epistemological challenges, such as authenticity, representation biases, data permanence, and the potential for commodification. The article concludes with recommendations for interdisciplinary frameworks, community involvement, and critical design practices to responsibly integrate digital technologies into heritage stewardship.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age
AU  - Nathalia Lira Vergeti Peixoto
AU  - Walcler de Lima Mendes Junior
AU  - Juliana Michaello Macêdo Dias
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DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
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EP  - 124
PB  - Science Publishing Group
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AB  - This paper presents how new technologies based on digital recreations can contribute to the preservation of architectural heritage, considering the role of three-dimensional technologies, immersive environments, and AI, proposed as tools for cultural safeguarding and dissemination. Qualitative and exploratory in nature, the study is based on bibliographic and documentary research on preservation, memory and virtuality, emphasizing potential benefits and risks related to each technology and their converging use in the field of built heritage preservation. Results indicate that the virtual does not oppose the real but extends it, functioning as a complementary language of experience and heritage mediation, as well as a tool for preserving the physical buildings themselves. Digital reconstructions and immersive experiences can enhance public access, enable remote engagement, and facilitate participatory memory-making, while AI-driven analysis assists in condition assessment, predictive maintenance, and large-scale archival organization. Thus, the convergence between digital tools and the possibility of expanding the preservation of buildings and the memories linked to them presents a special potential for the future of urban memory. In making this statement, the article understands that digital architecture can re-signify collective memory, broadening access, awareness, and engagement, by treating preservation as a hybrid process between materiality and imagination. The study also highlights ethical and epistemological challenges, such as authenticity, representation biases, data permanence, and the potential for commodification. The article concludes with recommendations for interdisciplinary frameworks, community involvement, and critical design practices to responsibly integrate digital technologies into heritage stewardship.
VL  - 14
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Author Information

Nathalia Lira Vergeti Peixoto

Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, University Center of Maceio, Maceio, Brazil

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Walcler de Lima Mendes Junior

Technologies and Public Policies Post Graduation Program, University Center of Maceio, Maceio, Brazil

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Juliana Michaello Macêdo Dias

Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceio, Brazil

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APA Style

Peixoto, N. L. V., Junior, W. D. L. M., Dias, J. M. M. (2026). Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age. Humanities and Social Sciences, 14(2), 116-124. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16

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ACS Style

Peixoto, N. L. V.; Junior, W. D. L. M.; Dias, J. M. M. Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2026, 14(2), 116-124. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16

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AMA Style

Peixoto NLV, Junior WDLM, Dias JMM. Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age. Humanit Soc Sci. 2026;14(2):116-124. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16

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@article{10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16,
  author = {Nathalia Lira Vergeti Peixoto and Walcler de Lima Mendes Junior and Juliana Michaello Macêdo Dias},
  title = {Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {116-124},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20261402.16},
  abstract = {This paper presents how new technologies based on digital recreations can contribute to the preservation of architectural heritage, considering the role of three-dimensional technologies, immersive environments, and AI, proposed as tools for cultural safeguarding and dissemination. Qualitative and exploratory in nature, the study is based on bibliographic and documentary research on preservation, memory and virtuality, emphasizing potential benefits and risks related to each technology and their converging use in the field of built heritage preservation. Results indicate that the virtual does not oppose the real but extends it, functioning as a complementary language of experience and heritage mediation, as well as a tool for preserving the physical buildings themselves. Digital reconstructions and immersive experiences can enhance public access, enable remote engagement, and facilitate participatory memory-making, while AI-driven analysis assists in condition assessment, predictive maintenance, and large-scale archival organization. Thus, the convergence between digital tools and the possibility of expanding the preservation of buildings and the memories linked to them presents a special potential for the future of urban memory. In making this statement, the article understands that digital architecture can re-signify collective memory, broadening access, awareness, and engagement, by treating preservation as a hybrid process between materiality and imagination. The study also highlights ethical and epistemological challenges, such as authenticity, representation biases, data permanence, and the potential for commodification. The article concludes with recommendations for interdisciplinary frameworks, community involvement, and critical design practices to responsibly integrate digital technologies into heritage stewardship.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Interactive Memory: Pathes to Preserving Architectural Heritage in the Digital Age
AU  - Nathalia Lira Vergeti Peixoto
AU  - Walcler de Lima Mendes Junior
AU  - Juliana Michaello Macêdo Dias
Y1  - 2026/03/31
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
SP  - 116
EP  - 124
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8184
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20261402.16
AB  - This paper presents how new technologies based on digital recreations can contribute to the preservation of architectural heritage, considering the role of three-dimensional technologies, immersive environments, and AI, proposed as tools for cultural safeguarding and dissemination. Qualitative and exploratory in nature, the study is based on bibliographic and documentary research on preservation, memory and virtuality, emphasizing potential benefits and risks related to each technology and their converging use in the field of built heritage preservation. Results indicate that the virtual does not oppose the real but extends it, functioning as a complementary language of experience and heritage mediation, as well as a tool for preserving the physical buildings themselves. Digital reconstructions and immersive experiences can enhance public access, enable remote engagement, and facilitate participatory memory-making, while AI-driven analysis assists in condition assessment, predictive maintenance, and large-scale archival organization. Thus, the convergence between digital tools and the possibility of expanding the preservation of buildings and the memories linked to them presents a special potential for the future of urban memory. In making this statement, the article understands that digital architecture can re-signify collective memory, broadening access, awareness, and engagement, by treating preservation as a hybrid process between materiality and imagination. The study also highlights ethical and epistemological challenges, such as authenticity, representation biases, data permanence, and the potential for commodification. The article concludes with recommendations for interdisciplinary frameworks, community involvement, and critical design practices to responsibly integrate digital technologies into heritage stewardship.
VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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