Heritage Soundscape and Experiential Sense-of-Place Design in Virtual Reality Towards Heritage Interpretation

Sungyoung Kim

Abstract: Virtual Reality (VR) is a powerful tool for heritage interpretation, yet the role of heritage soundscapes remains undervalued compared to visual heritage components. This paper argues for repositioning soundscapes as “interpretive infrastructures” that construct a sense of place in VR. Focusing on Magoksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Korea, the study outlines a preliminary design approach: identifying heritage sound elements, articulating their relationships with site components, and translating these into VR design strategies. This direction aims to enhance contextual heritage reconstruction, providing a holistic and immersive user experience in virtual heritage.