A Success Story: United Teen Equality Center (UTEC)
Now the Oldest LEED Certified Building in the Country
THE CLIENT: United Teen Equality Center
UTEC'S GOALS
Help More Young People Live Sustainable Lives

THE CHALLENGES
- Create something that has never been done before.
- Raise funds in order to reach financial goals.
- On an extremely limited budget transform a historic church, incorporate a newly built addition into a LEED certified multi-function, multi-purpose teen center.
HOW SHANAHAN BECAME PART OF THE SOLUTION
Transforming the historic church into a "Class A" event space was challenging. UTEC wanted the gym, home of the UTEC basketball team, and what was once the church sanctuary, to serve as a multi-use space. With a tight deadline and a minimal budget, Shanahan worked diligently to design state-of-the-art audiovisual spaces that would be ready for UTEC's grand opening. A concert-level sound system with digital console in a rolling cabinet was installedin the
The sound and video production students are excited to train in their expanded recording studio. The training will allow students to operate and control the sophisticated gym audio system, further increasing UTEC's capabilities andofferings.
RESULTS
The new enterprise is helping to increase the employability and financial health of UTEC's teens. Now UTEC also has the capacity to increase the number of youth it serves. The new conference rooms and performance center are available for training and workshops that will help sustain existing programs and allow development of new programs. The gym doubles as a performance center with the capacity to host live theater, musical performances and large-scale community events. UTEC is excited with the possibilities and is contemplating becoming a venue for future Lowell Folk Festival events.
SYNOPSIS
Giving back to the community has always been close to our hearts. It meant a great deal to the Shanahan team to be involved in the project and to donate a portion of our time and materials to such a good cause. Through UTEC, teens now are building their future careers, and the community has an exciting, well-equipped and architecturally innovative building to enjoy in myriad ways.
Photos by: Peg Shanahan Photography ,_______________________________________________