Shelley Tsang’s journey as a guardian of global cultural heritage began in the shadow of the vermilion walls of the Forbidden City. Her childhood in a historic Beijing courtyard — a vibrant cultural salon of the 1980s — instilled in her a profound reverence for the dialogue between space, memory, and identity. This early awakening inspired the founding of ICAPS in 2017, with a vision to foster meaningful encounters between Eastern wisdom and global heritage traditions. ICAPS believes that architectural treasures are not relics to be conserved in isolation, but active vessels of cultural continuity. We strive to create a world where the roof tiles of the Forbidden City can converse with the domes of Versailles, and where the harmonious principles of the Siheyuan courtyard inform the sustainable future of castles and palaces everywhere — guiding us to preserve not only stones, but the soul of human heritage.

ICAPS embodies a forward-looking approach to heritage, one that interweaves preservation with purpose. Our strategy is built on three pillars: continuity, connection, and creation. We champion adaptive conservation, breathing new life into historic structures through cutting-edge technologies and non-invasive restoration techniques that honour their legacy while equipping them for contemporary use. We foster cross-cultural engagement, transforming palaces and castles into vibrant international forums where artists, scholars, and local communities can explore themes of identity, power, beauty, and belonging. Furthermore, we promote narrative innovation, supporting archival research, contemporary exhibitions, and immersive digital projects that reinterpret these sites as spaces of relevance for today’s global citizen. By commissioning new interpretations and digital access platforms, we ensure the stories of these places continue to evolve, resonate, and inspire.

ICAPS brings its ethos to life through a portfolio of carefully crafted programs that merge scholarship with sensibility. The Voice of Stone initiative employs immersive audio-visual technologies to reconstruct the sonic landscapes of historic sites, allowing visitors to experience coronation ceremonies, royal festivities, and daily life as they once resonated through great halls and courtyards. The Palace Dialogues is an annual summit that convenes thinkers, creators, and custodians from around the world to reflect on themes of governance, beauty, and cultural memory within the symbolic power of palace architecture. Meanwhile, Open Gates reimagines underused castles as hubs for artist residencies, cultural festivals, and community gatherings—ensuring they serve not only as monuments, but as meeting points. Each initiative is designed to deepen public connection and ensure these sites remain vital in the imagination of tomorrow.

From its foundational focus on Eurasian heritage, ICAPS has grown into a globally engaged organisation with partnerships spanning more than twenty countries. Our influence extends beyond physical conservation to include cultural advocacy, educational outreach, and digital access. We have collaborated with ICOMOS and UNESCO on safeguarding strategies for endangered sites, contributed to high-level symposia on heritage and soft power, and launched the Castle and Palace Worlds digital portal project — an open-access repository of manuscripts, blueprints, and oral histories related to castle and palace culture. Through these channels, ICAPS ensures that historic palaces and castles continue to function not as isolated relics, but as active, accessible, and inspiring touchstones of human creativity across time and borders.