Repurposing Rural Objects of Vernacular Architecture as an Engine of Sustainable Regeneration: An Integrated Approach for the Valorisation of Lucanian Farmhouses and Valencian Barracas Through Advanced Technologies and Digitisation

Minor rural architectures constitute a fundamental element of Europe’s cultural heritage, contributing to the definition of territorial identity and the preservation of historical memory. However, these structures are often excluded from protection priorities because of a conservation approach mainly oriented towards large monumental complexes. This study proposes an enhancement of the ICCD’s cataloguing system through the integration of a digital archive of historical memory, focusing on traditional building techniques and the tangible and intangible heritage associated with them. The analysis focuses on the representative case studies of Basilicata (Italy) and the Valencian Community (Spain), examining criticalities and opportunities in the respective cataloguing models. The research aims to combine digital technologies (photogrammetry, 3D scanning) and community participation, aimed at the rein-terpretation of rural architectural elements as symbol-objects. This reconversion transforms traditional artefacts into contemporary resources, acting as an engine for territorial and cultural regeneration. The multidisciplinary approach demon-strates how rural heritage can become an active tool for sustainable development, combining memory conservation and design innovation. The results present a replicable model for other Mediterranean areas, in which vernacular architecture assumes a dual role: preserver of historical identity and agent of social and economic transformation.