Uncomfortable Heritage: Negotiating between Meaning and Materiality in Adaptive Reuse

The concept of 'uncomfortable heritage' sits within the broader discourse of dark heritage and is focused on the reuse of relatively commonplace structures labelled as heritage. Uncomfortable heritage seeks to reveal the unease associated with repurposing structures with problematic pasts, such as former prisons and asylums. It highlights the disconnection between architectural conservation and heritage studies, emphasising the interplay between materiality and meaning in repurposing these structures. This negotiation often revolves around economic imperatives, with the discomfort associated with these buildings often concealed, though occasionally commodified to meet society's demand for unique experiences. Remaking meanings involves crafting new narratives, while architectural intervention typically focuses on integrating new elements into existing structures treating material heritage neutrally. Uncomfortable heritage is an analytical concept for understanding such heritage management processes and moments of change. It is also a normative concept, emphasising the need for a more honest engagement with our heritage.