Jose Scott for Cascade Apartments

WXLLSPACE delivered a 400 SQFT abstract geometric mural for Disrupt Management's Cascade Apartments in Austin, Texas. Artist Jose Scott transformed a stark front exterior concrete wall - described by the property team as a "big ugly penitentiary wall" - into a vibrant landmark focused on movement and flow. The project moved from artist selection in late 2022 through design refinement and January 2023 installation, navigating stylistic pivots, site power constraints, and access logistics. The mural successfully rebranded the property's entrance, delivering the "movement and soul" the developer sought while improving curb appeal and resident first impressions.

Disrupt Management sought to transform an uninviting front facade at Cascade Apartments that undermined the property's branding and resident experience. The challenge centered on converting a harsh, institutional-looking concrete wall into a distinctive visual asset that communicated intentional design.

The core complications:

• The existing wall had stark, heavy proportions that created a negative entry impression ("penitentiary aesthetic")
• The developer needed a design that conveyed movement and energy while fitting an abstract aesthetic (not decorative or cartoon-like)
• The property had limited site infrastructure - no outdoor power outlets available for design work or projection tools
• Height access required creative problem-solving around existing property signage without standard scaffolding infrastructure
• Design direction required alignment between artist and developer aesthetic preferences, with initial concepts missing the intended "vibe"
• The compressed timeline moved from design fee invoicing in December through installation completion by late January

Site Power and Infrastructure

The wall location lacked outdoor electrical access, creating a challenge for design projection work. Standard approaches to on-site design verification through projection mapping were not available. WXLLSPACE sourced and purchased a portable battery/generator unit to enable projector operation during the design phase.

Height Access and Signage

The wall required height access while accommodating existing property signage. Standard scaffolding solutions were deemed cost-prohibitive and operationally disruptive during active property operations. WXLLSPACE identified a cost-effective ladder solution that provided necessary height access without the infrastructure overhead of formal scaffolding rental.

Design Aesthetic Alignment

Initial design concepts incorporated cartoon elements that did not align with the developer's vision. Frank Strickland provided feedback that the design was "not the vibe we were looking for," indicating a need to pivot away from decorative or character-based imagery. Sandra Benenate clarified the desired direction: "create a feeling of movement to a stark, harsh building" with an abstract geometric approach, not cartoon elements.

Compressed Timeline

The project moved rapidly from design fee invoicing in December 2022 through installation completion by January 23, 2023. Design approval occurred on January 5, with installation beginning mid-January and completing within approximately one week. This compressed timeline limited revision cycles and required efficient stakeholder coordination.

Installation Complexity

Maneuvering equipment around property signage and preparing the concrete surface required more complex pre-work than anticipated. The artist required an additional night's stay to complete surface preparation and installation phases.

Budget and Cost Control

The developer was managing simultaneous large-scale renovations across the property, creating pressure to maintain project costs within the $10,000 estimate. Equipment purchases (ladder, generator) had to be evaluated carefully against rental alternatives to avoid budget overrun.

October 19, 2022: Initial Contact and Project Posting

Disrupt Management engaged WXLLSPACE to commission a mural for the Cascade Apartments front wall. The property and brief were posted to the WXLLSPACE platform to attract qualified artist proposals.

November 28, 2022: Artist Submissions

Jose Scott submitted a proposal in response to the project posting. The submission was evaluated against the developer's brief for design fit, experience, and execution capability.

December 7, 2022: Design Fee and Agreement

A design fee invoice was sent to Jose Scott to initiate concept development. The artist agreement was formalized, establishing the scope, timeline, and payment structure for the project.

December 12, 2022: Artist Agreement Execution

The formal artist agreement was signed, confirming Jose Scott's engagement for design and installation phases.

January 3, 2023: Design Direction and Aesthetic Alignment

WXLLSPACE facilitated a direct Zoom call between the developer team and Jose Scott to address design feedback. Frank Strickland had indicated that initial concepts were "not the vibe we were looking for," flagging cartoon elements as off-brand. Sandra Benenate articulated the desired direction: an abstract geometric aesthetic focused on movement and flow, rather than decorative or character-based imagery. This call established clear design parameters for revision.

January 5, 2023: Design Approval

Design Option 3 (executed without outlines and refined to emphasize abstract geometric forms and movement) was approved for production. The design successfully captured the desired aesthetic transition from the "stark, harsh building" to a dynamic, intentional visual statement.

Mid-January 2023: Pre-Installation Coordination and Equipment Setup

WXLLSPACE coordinated all logistics ahead of installation, including:

• Sourcing and purchasing a portable ladder to provide height access around property signage (cost-effective alternative to scaffolding rental)
• Purchasing a small battery/generator unit to enable design projection and verification on-site
• Coordinating site access and daily work windows with property management
• Confirming material staging and weather contingency planning
• Arranging artist arrival and accommodations, with an additional night factored in for surface prep complexity

January 15-22, 2023: Installation

Jose Scott executed the mural installation across the 8-day window. Surface preparation included concrete conditioning and primer work. Application methods and specific daily timeline details are not documented in available project records. The artist worked around existing property signage using the ladder access solution developed during pre-installation planning.

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Installation Window: January 15-22, 2023

Artist: Jose Scott

Wall Location: Front exterior wall, Cascade Apartments, 1221 Algarita Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Wall Specifications:

• Dimensions: Unknown (vertical orientation, described as prominent entry wall)
• Surface: Concrete
• Condition: Stark, institutional-looking facade requiring surface preparation

Mural Dimensions: 400 SQFT

Design Elements: Abstract geometric composition featuring movement and flow, executed without outlines; focused on conveying energy and intentional design to counteract harsh building architecture

Access Equipment: Ladder (purchased as alternative to scaffolding rental)

Support Infrastructure: Portable battery/generator unit (purchased to enable design projection and verification)

Surface Preparation: Concrete conditioning and primer work required prior to paint application

Site Power and Infrastructure

The wall location lacked outdoor electrical access, creating a challenge for design projection work. Standard approaches to on-site design verification through projection mapping were not available. WXLLSPACE sourced and purchased a portable battery/generator unit to enable projector operation during the design phase.

Height Access and Signage

The wall required height access while accommodating existing property signage. Standard scaffolding solutions were deemed cost-prohibitive and operationally disruptive during active property operations. WXLLSPACE identified a cost-effective ladder solution that provided necessary height access without the infrastructure overhead of formal scaffolding rental.

Design Aesthetic Alignment

Initial design concepts incorporated cartoon elements that did not align with the developer's vision. Frank Strickland provided feedback that the design was "not the vibe we were looking for," indicating a need to pivot away from decorative or character-based imagery. Sandra Benenate clarified the desired direction: "create a feeling of movement to a stark, harsh building" with an abstract geometric approach, not cartoon elements.

Compressed Timeline

The project moved rapidly from design fee invoicing in December 2022 through installation completion by January 23, 2023. Design approval occurred on January 5, with installation beginning mid-January and completing within approximately one week. This compressed timeline limited revision cycles and required efficient stakeholder coordination.

Installation Complexity

Maneuvering equipment around property signage and preparing the concrete surface required more complex pre-work than anticipated. The artist required an additional night's stay to complete surface preparation and installation phases.

Budget and Cost Control

The developer was managing simultaneous large-scale renovations across the property, creating pressure to maintain project costs within the $10,000 estimate. Equipment purchases (ladder, generator) had to be evaluated carefully against rental alternatives to avoid budget overrun.