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ATX Third Spaces

Made by Nischal Austin 11th Grader HS

An accessibility-first app helping Austin teens discover safe, welcoming third spaces through youth reviews and sensory-friendly filters.

I designed ATX Third Spaces because teens in Austin don't have one easy place to find spaces that match their interests and accessibility needs. Information is scattered everywhere. I wanted to build something where every teen — especially those with different sensory or mobility needs — can feel confident exploring and know they belong.

— Nischal

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Design Screens

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Explore Peaceful Places screen with category icons for Art and Culture, Parks and Nature, Quiet Study, Mindfulness, and Community Centers, plus a featured spot for the Blanton Museum of Art screen
Browse serene spaces by category and discover featured spots
Map of Calm screen showing an interactive Austin map with location pins for places like Umlauf Sculpture Garden, plus a Serene Path walking toggle and Get Directions button screen
Find your way to peaceful places around Austin
Wellness Check-In screen asking How are you feeling today with mood options for Calm, Happy, Thoughtful, Stressed, and Tired, a daily mindfulness prompt, and a weekly check-in tracker screen
Check in with yourself before you check in at a space
My Profile screen showing saved places including Central Library, Zilker Park, and Blanton Museum, a 5-day calm streak tracker, and settings for notifications and privacy screen
Track your calm streaks and save your favorite spots
Alternate view of the Explore screen with search bar, category filter icons, and the Blanton Museum of Art as the featured serene spot screen
Search and filter to find the perfect peaceful hangout

ATX Third Spaces is a thoughtfully designed mobile app that helps Austin teens ages 12-18 discover free, safe third spaces across the city. What sets it apart is its wellness-centered approach: instead of just listing places, the app wraps discovery in a calming, supportive experience. From a “Map of Calm” that highlights serene destinations like the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Blanton Museum of Art, to a built-in Wellness Check-In that asks “How are you feeling today?” before you even start exploring, every screen is designed to make teens feel grounded and welcome.

Accessibility as the Foundation

Nischal’s core design philosophy is that accessibility should never be an afterthought. The app features dedicated filters for wheelchair-accessible spaces, sensory-friendly environments, quiet study spots, and outdoor areas. Category icons for Art & Culture, Parks & Nature, Quiet Study, Mindfulness, and Community Centers let users quickly zero in on spaces that match their needs and mood. Every space listing is designed to answer the question teens actually care about: “Will I feel comfortable when I get there?”

Wellness Meets Discovery

One of the most original features is the Wellness Check-In, where users can log their mood — Calm, Happy, Thoughtful, Stressed, or Tired — and receive a daily mindfulness prompt before heading out. A weekly tracker and “Calm Streaks” on the profile page turn self-care into a gentle, rewarding habit. Combined with saved places, walking directions via the “Serene Path” toggle, and a soft watercolor visual style that feels warm rather than clinical, ATX Third Spaces reimagines what a discovery app can be when it puts the whole person — not just the destination — at the center.

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