An Application of Philosophical Concepts to the Design of Spirit Houses within the Context of Digital Lifestyles

Abstract

This article aims to: 1) examine the transformation of ritual beliefs and values associated with spirit houses in order to align them with the conditions of contemporary digital life; 2) develop an integrated four-dimensional applied philosophical framework—encompassing socio-cultural, religious, media, and epistemological domains—for the design of spirit houses in the digital era; and 3) assess the effectiveness of a modular spirit house model combined with an augmented reality (AR) system in mediating cultural expressions and addressing spatial constraints in modern residential environments. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining Design-Based Research (DBR) with Purposive Sampling to select participants who fit specific cultural and demographic criteria. Data collection instruments include structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and AR-based behavioral observation. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, percentage) and thematic analysis, allowing for both quantitative insight and qualitative depth. The findings reveal that 85% of participants reported an increased recognition of ritual significance and cultural dimensions after engaging with the prototype, while 78% perceived the modular design as an effective solution to spatial limitations inherent in contemporary urban living. Based on these outcomes, the study proposes two key conceptual contributions: the Contemporary Sacred Space Model and the AR-Enabled Rituals Protocol. These models demonstrate the viability of spirit houses as contemporary sacred sites, functioning meaningfully in both symbolic and practical terms within Thailand’s evolving digital society.