An Affordable Austin

Innovative mixed-use development brings affordable homes to heart of East Austin

Another mixed-use development is slated for East Austin — but this one offers something different than the rest. The Chicon will be among the first mixed-use projects in Austin to offer affordable homeownership. Its mission is to preserve and enhance the culture of East Austin's historic Chestnut neighborhood.

"Historically, the Chestnut neighborhood was a flourishing artistic, cultural, and commercial hub," states the website. "The Chicon aims to bring this attitude back to life — preserving and supporting the history, legacy, and culture of the area by providing affordable and market rate homes for East Austin residents."

The development includes three separate three-story buildings along Chicon Street near the intersections of 13th and 14th streets. There are 45 residences total, 33 of which have been set aside as affordable housing with the help of the City of Austin.

"To qualify, individuals must make less than 80 percent of the median family income, which for a single person is $43,000 per year — about the equivalent for a starting salary of a teacher at AISD," says Sean Garretson, spokesperson for Chestnut Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation (CNRC).

CNRC, a nonprofit dedicated to serving East Austin, has been intently working on The Chicon project for almost two years. The organization is partnering with Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects and Big RedDog on the development.

In addition to affordable housing, The Chicon will have 6,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial and office space. Unlike most developments, these spaces are for sale,not for lease. "We have six businesses already signed up with earnest money," says Garretson. "So far, we have an apothecary, a nail salon, a coffee shop, a restaurant, an office, and an ice cream shop,"

Construction of The Chicon will happen in two phases. The first phase, which began in January, will include 33 units across two buildings; residents are expected to begin moving in next spring. The team hopes to launch the second phase around the same time.

Each of the three buildings, including the Joyce (pictured here), will feature residences and commercial space.

The Chicon development East Austin Joyce building

Rendering courtesy of The Chicon

Each of the three buildings, including the Joyce (pictured here), will feature residences and commercial space.

SKIN IN THE GAME

Renowned Hill Country tattoo artist inks new sacred geometry app

Photo courtesy of Dillon Forte

Dillion Forte at his "tattoo ranch" in the Texas Hill Country.

In the world of tattooing, there may seem to be few better rat traps left to build, but Dillon Forte aims to change that. In October, the renowned Wimberley-based tattoo artist and entrepreneur introduced a new iPadOS app to bring ancient symbology into the digital age.

Forte has made a worldwide name for his black dot work (a contemporary take on stick-and-poke techniques) and ambitious undertakings like tattooing underwater and opening a “tattoo ranch.” His ink appears on Usher, Chris Hemsworth, and Kehlani.

Still, he is most recognized for his sacred geometry designs, using patterns to convey various meanings. His interest led him to create the Sacred Geometry Drawing App, a convenient way for novices and experts to develop and export their creations.

The app grew out of his own practice. Over the past decade, he has used tablets and freehand techniques to achieve his highly symmetrical artwork but grew to realize existing tools were not always easy to use.

“The app is an attempt and fulfillment of my desire to make sacred geometry accessible and bring the ability to create into the fingertips of as many people as possible,” Forte tells CultureMap via email, adding a tagline: “symmetry made simply.”

He says he wished the app was available when developing his signature style as a tattoo artist, but it was designed with a broad range of users in mind. He hopes that designers, educators, and artists will find a use for it.

A short intro to the app's capabilities is available on YouTube. It looks like a standard drawing app, starting with a blank canvas and some tools like pens, pencils, colors, and of course, straight line and dot makers.

A "symmetry index" anchors the functionality and expands it to something between 2D art and 3D modeling. In addition to generating shapes like repeating patterns and spirals, the app also creates 3D shapes with grids, so that the artist can map their design in real space or even create sculptures. There is also an index for explaining the spiritual meaning of some standard designs.

“Geometry often prompts an intimidating feeling when it comes to making art,” Forte continues. “The fundamentally complex and often academic nature of math-based art can induce a sense of fear in the potential user instead of creating a sense of awe. The purpose of the sacred geometry app is to cultivate the latter."

Creatives interested in constructing their own geometric masterpieces can download the app at the App Store for free, and in-app purchases are available.

technology apps tattoos arts