Space-to-face (S2F) hospitality in spaces and places

Abstract

Abstract This study investigates how spaces and places with no human interaction convey a sense of hospitality – a phenomenon we term space-to-face (S2F) hospitality. By problematizing the traditional conceptualizations of hospitality that emphasize the role of human interaction, this study aims to highlight the spatial aspects of hospitality. Physical environment has commonly been investigated only as one dimension of hospitality. However, spaces and places where there is nothing but the physical environment to convey a sense of hospitality are becoming increasingly common. For instance, railway or bus stations with ticket machines have no human interaction but a space and a place to convey a sense of being welcome or unwelcome. Using a participant-generated photography, this study was built on empirical data from 46 participants, who provided 234 photos and associated descriptions of perceived hospitality in spaces and places. As a result, we found six dimensions under macro and micro layers that capture S2F hospitality: domesticity, cleanliness, safety and security, restrictedness, intactness, and functionality. As a contribution, this study broadens the views on hospitality, and explores the concept of S2F hospitality that is relevant to for all types of spaces and places.