ThirdHOU

ThirdHOU: live home UI.
ThirdHOU: live workflow UI.
ThirdHOU: current demo poster.

Inspiration

The Third Spaces challenge asked how neighbors from different backgrounds could meet in places that support real conversation. ThirdHOU starts with the practical discovery question: which nearby places have the access, shade, indoor space, cost, or dog policy a resident actually needs?

What it does

ThirdHOU catalogs six source-checked Houston places, including Discovery Green, Levy Park, Emancipation Park, McGovern Centennial Gardens, Moody Community Center, and Eastwood Community Center. Visitors can filter for covered or shaded, indoor, step-free confirmed, known free, and dogs welcome, inspect map and detail views, save a local shortlist, and draft a neighborhood proposal.

How I built it

The prototype uses Vite and vanilla browser modules with Leaflet, an Express and TypeScript API, PostgreSQL and Drizzle ORM, Google Identity Services for private proposals and meetup interest, local shortlist and draft storage, and official operator source links with checked dates.

Challenges

A directory can suggest a place without proving that it is available, reserved, operated by the product, or ready for a program. Unknown fields remain visible, weather and accessibility are treated as practical constraints, and proposal and interest actions are private and authenticated.

Accomplishments

The prototype delivers a six-place source-backed catalog, combined filters, map pins, detailed source links, local shortlists, and a proposal path. It connects the challenge's social goal to concrete place criteria while staying honest about what a catalog cannot operate.

What I learned

“Third space” is not a single venue type. Small details such as shade, indoor backup, step-free access, and whether dogs are welcome shape whether a place can support a real visit.

What's next

The next step is to co-design one neighborhood test with residents and venue operators, clarify weather protection and programming needs, and determine who would operate or maintain any future gathering place.