Hospitality as Pedagogy

What if classrooms were designed like hospitality spaces—hotels, restaurants, places of welcome, rhythm, and care? In this talk, designer-researcher Shruthi Manjula Balakrishna explores how hospitality frameworks such as arrival sequence, wayfinding, sensory design, and emotional arc can reshape the rituals and environments of learning. Drawing from design psychology and service strategy, this session offers a fresh lens for fostering trust, comfort, and connection in education.