Edinburgh Napier University

  In this study, visitors’ perception and engagement with built heritage surroundings was investigated in relation to their interaction with 3d printed souvenirs which reflected architectural features of the site. A 3D printer was set up in Stirling Castle, Stirling, UK in collaboration with Historic Scotland. The visitors’ were given the opportunity to interact with the 3D printing process in action and personalise their item. Short structured interviews and researcher observations recorded the visitors’ impressions of the process and souvenirs. The participants expressed how their interaction with the souvenir artefacts enhanced their view of their surroundings. This paper concludes by exploring how participative making technologies and innovative souvenir objects, within heritage environments, can be used to enhance the authenticity of the visitors’ experience of place.