The Application of Serious Games in the Conservation of Vernacular Architectural Heritage: The Case of Blue House
Abstract
As UNESCO's cultural heritage protection philosophy shifts from monumental architecture to traditional living architecture, the preservation of vernacular architectural heritage has received increasing attention. Nevertheless, it is still in trouble at present. The paper utilizes textual analysis and fieldwork to examine the situation of present vernacular architectural heritage preservation, serious games, and issues and solutions associated with conservation of the vernacular residential cultural heritage buildings. The research confers that preservation of the vernacular architectural heritage is still focused on the heritage itself and there is relatively lack of protection of the collective memories and cultural spirit that is contained within such heritage. The present paper suggests a vision of the serious games incorporating the concept of heritage awareness and cultural experience. The study results indicate that serious games can not only break the time and space restrictions and safeguard the privacy of the residents, but also address the flaws in memory passing and emotional bonding. The research offers a new direction of the ongoing preservation of the vernacular architecture in the digital era and contributes to the innovative methods to the designing of the further cultural serious game narratives.
References
- Milojković, A., Antić, U., Stanojević, A., Jevremović, L., Nikolić, M., Đorđević, I. and Brzaković, M. (2025) Perception of Authenticity of a UNESCO Heritage Site: New Infill Design and Integrity Protection in the Old Town of Ohrid, North Macedonia. Sustainability, 17, 2067.
- Prinzleve, J. (2023) Silent Memorylands: City Branding and the Coloniality of Cultural Memory in the Hamburg HafenCity. Memory Studies, 16, 984-1002.
- Chen, Y. and Lu, S. (2025) Different Patterns of the Revitalization of Collective Memory in Shanghai and Hong Kong: The Cases of Columbia Circle and Blue House Cluster. Space and Culture, 28, 195-220.
- Xu, H.G., Yumeng, G. and Zhang, A. (2024) A Study on Serious Game Design for Cultural Heritage Education. Art Design Research, 4, 87-94.
- Hammady, R. and Arnab, S. (2022) Serious Gaming for Behaviour Change: A Systematic Review. Information, 13, 142.
- de Sousa, R.R.A. (2023) The Preservation of Historical Memory in The Digital Age: Challenges, Opportunities and Interactive Technologies in Teaching and Research. Revista Inter-Ação, 48, 894-915.
- Xu, T., Zhou, K. and Wang, M. (2023) Advances in the Application of Serious Games in Landscape Heritage. Landscape Architecture, 30, 51-55.
- Mortara, M., Catalano, C.E., Bellotti, F., Fiucci, G., Houry-Panchetti, M. and Petridis, P. (2014) Learning Cultural Heritage by Serious Games. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 15, 318-325.
- Bunt, L., Greeff, J. and Taylor, E. (2024) Enhancing Serious Game Design: Expert-Reviewed, Stakeholder-Centered Framework. JMIR Serious Games, 12, e48099.
- High, S. (2010) Telling Stories: A Reflection on Oral History and New Media. Oral History, 38, 101-112.
- Mekonnen, H., Bires, Z. and Berhanu, K. (2022) Practices and Challenges of Cultural Heritage Conservation in Historical and Religious Heritage Sites: Evidence from North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Heritage Science, 10, 1-22.
- Feng, Z.T. (2025) Innovative Conception for Blue House Digital Exhibition Hall. Lecture Notes in Education, Arts, Management and Social Science, 3, 225-232.
- de Certeau, M. (2002) The Practice of Everyday Life. University of California Press, Berkeley.