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ATX Third Spaces

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.

— Austin 11th Grader

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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 helps Austin teens ages 12-18 find free, safe places to hang out across the city. But it’s not just a list of places — it also checks in on how you’re feeling. There’s a “Map of Calm” showing chill spots like the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Blanton Museum of Art, and before you start exploring, the app asks “How are you feeling today?” so it can suggest places that match your mood.

Built for Accessibility

The designer wanted accessibility to be part of the app from the start, not something tacked on later. You can filter for wheelchair-accessible spaces, sensory-friendly spots, quiet study areas, and outdoor hangouts. Categories like Art & Culture, Parks & Nature, Quiet Study, Mindfulness, and Community Centers help you find what fits. The big question it tries to answer: “Will I feel comfortable when I get there?”

Mood Check-Ins and Calm Streaks

One of the coolest features is the Wellness Check-In. You pick your mood — Calm, Happy, Thoughtful, Stressed, or Tired — and get a little mindfulness tip before you head out. There’s a weekly tracker and “Calm Streaks” on your profile, kind of like a streak counter for taking care of yourself. You can also save favorite places, get walking directions with the “Serene Path” option, and everything has a soft, watercolor style that just feels nice to look at.

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