Satya Jyothi Nagar
(True Light Center)
Fellowship Hall and Community Center
eMi² Project 8136
March 11-22, 2008
See project location on Google Earth

Project status updates

February 14, 2012
The upper roof of the Fellowship hall is being prepared for concrete casting at the TLM site in Orissa. The local method of mud bedding is employed to ensure a smooth finish on the underside of the roof slab. They plan to cast the upper roof slab and beams in one go, making it a real event to prepare for. The contractor believes they can finish the casting in one day, and they are building up the necessary supplies for the purpose. This will be the last major element for the structure and should be complete by the end of the month.
-MJC

December 6, 2011
Framing for the upper roof of the Fellowship hall is underway at the TLM site in Orissa. The forms for the main roof beams are in place, giving backbone for the sloping roof ridge of the structure. The client sent across these photos as the builder makes preparations to frame the roof slab and place reinforcements. They are excited to see the progress on the site & now the full form of the building is now becoming apparent.
-MJC

November 2, 2011
The TLM structure continues to progress. Casting on the right side lower roof of the fellowship hall is complete and the left side is underway. Now the next step is the framing & casting of the upper sloping roof. The builder is working on the gable beam forms. I may need to head down again to have a look when the formwork is finished.
-MJC

July 19, 2011
Encouraging progress in southeastern Orissa as the TLM fellowship hall balcony, portico, and rear room slabs have all been successfully cast this month. Climbing up on the balcony really gives the sense of space in the hall. I received these images from the client this week, who was very pleased with the result. The next step is to cast one of the side roofs on either side of the main hall.
Photo 1   Photo 2   Photo 3
-MJC

May 20, 2011
I made a quick visit to TLM in late April to check on the progress of construction at the special request of our clients. The framing work is underway for the balcony and rear room floor slabs and there were several other questions on the work which needed to be addressed. I found that all the levels were accurate and the quality of construction was very good as the builder has been paying really good attention to the work so far. The structure is a unique one and more challenging than the typical box-type hall which is common in many places, so it was an encouragement to see the builder and another local engineer paying attention to the design plans & asking questions about the next steps. One question was on the upper roof framing which maintains even side slopes and level eaves but has a downward sloping ridge. Looking for a way to help explain this, I hit upon using one of my note sheets. I first folded it in half as a normal sloping roof, then I folded back the paper 'eaves'. This done it is very apparent that with a roof in this plan shape, the eaves either slope upward with a level ridge, or the ridge slopes downward with level eaves – just the case when one places this little architectural origami on the floor. The builder quickly grasped the concept and seems ready for the challenge.

The builder grasps the concept for the sloping upper roof
Bit by bit the structure continues to grow
Framing work in progress to form the balcony
-MJC

March, 2011
Work on the structure continues for the TLM hall. We've been working through questions from the contractor on the balcony and rear mezzanine level framing. Since the building floor slopes with the site and a number of floor levels exist, getting the slab and beam framing at the right elevation is important, but also complicated. The client sent across some recent photos of the work in progress.
Photo 1  Photo 2  Photo 3
-MJC

January 7, 2011
December 2010 Construction Photos:
Photo 1  Photo 2

July 30, 2010
I departed from Tura to Koraput on 25th July. It took me two days to reach Koraput. I arrived late on 27th evening. The next day, I went to the site with Moses and his father Mr. N.V Raghavulu and we were joined at the site by some elders of the ministry and the mason. I surveyed the site and evaluated the progress from the last picture they sent us of the construction. I inspected the material acquired at the site like sand, aggregate and gravel, which seems to be of considerable good quality. I checked a couple of measurements to confirmed the accuracy of the centerline measurements and found that they are as per drawing.

Mr. N.V Raghavulu shared that they look to follow the design at every step of construction, and that they wanted my green signal to go ahead with the next step, i.e. laying foundations and erecting columns. I shared the possibility of incorporating the low cost construction method which they liked and showed interest to execute it wherever possible. Later we went to a nearby construction to see the prevalent system or style of construction which is low cost. We saw one building which seems to be the perfect example for me to explain the low cost technology. TLM engaged an engineer from the Hindustan Aeronautic Limited, where Mr. NV Raghavulu works, who shows keen interest to help even though he's not a Christian.

View of the site from the road
Excavation for foundation
View of the site from the north side
A low cost construction method used in a nearby building
-HM

July 20, 2010
The field measurements we asked them to perform on the diagonals between several foundation centers checked out accurate according to the plan measurements. As such we have good assurance that the foundation layout for the building was laid out accurately in the field. Huberth Marak from our office is on his way out tonight for a client visit trip, and will be stopping by this project in the field. He will see the progress on the foundation construction, check the column reinforcement sizes against the plan, answer questions about the building, etc.
-MJC

July 06, 2010
"I am attaching pictures clicked on the site of work for Church Building. Hope these pictures would give you a general view of how it is going. Please Check the picture and send me your view. I would try calling you on Monday.
The borewell is dug and we were able to get good water. Found rock at 160 feet and they drilled up to 215 feet."

June 2010
The ministry has been able to reassert their claim/ownership on the land and obtain the necessary clearances to proceed for construction. An engineer in their network came to Semiliguda to assist them in laying out the building corners and marking the foundations on the land. Bore well work is scheduled and necessary to proceed for further construction.
-MJC

January 07, 2010
"Orissa government has passed a resolution that all the lands that belong to a tribal 50 year back should be restored. Lot of agitation and problems are going on and so we are not able to proceed. We are all caught up with this issue.

Please do remember us and the ministry that the Lord has given us here. We believe that the Lord will open a way out in regards to this issue."

18-Aug-2009
As part of an inter-office review, the TLM Conceptual Design project was reviewed in our USA office last month and we received and went over the comments today. Some adjustments to the design were recommended to ease the potential bottle-necking of the exit areas at certain places in the building. Additional side exits are also being considered.

11-Aug-2009
Ivy's finished with the Detailed Design version of the fellowship hall building. Including some edits requested by the client and also with a revised column grid to make the structural engineering easier. The structural work will be taken up by one of our oncoming interns in September-October. We hope to deliver the plans by end-October.
-MJC

7- July-09
Ivy revised the layout plan and sent it to the Client. the revised layout was agreed by the client:

"Thank you Ivy for sending the details.  The modified plan of the church was accepted by the members. Ivy u can go ahead with this plan that u have suggested. We thank u for your efforts in bringing things into good shape.  May the good Lord bless u and ur ministry in building the Kingdom of God."
-IN

24 - June - 2009
Ivy met the client, Moses, in Rourkela to discuss the detailed design work for the church building. The board has sent a letter to confirm the design and comments were discussed during the meeting. The over all height of the building could be reduced and the door entry to the backstage should not face directly to the stage. Windows should be used instead of Jali wall at the low level because of dust and noise. eMi also suggested to move the offices from the front of the building to the 1st level of behind the stage.
-IN

11-May-2009
Message from TLM:
"Had a talk with board members about the finances and thy told me that they have around 10lakhs fund in hand. One of our board members is into real estate and construction. He promised to supply chip, sand and bricks which can be paid over a period of time. It has been decided that construction of a shed for storing material and a small place for the caretakers to stay in the campus would be started this week or the coming week. This would follow, get electricity connection already talks for it has taken place. We are also working on for water supply project i.e or a borewell. This the scenario at our end now is it u can help us. Once work starts we expect more funds flowing in. i request u to do the best u can with regard to the design."

Our timeframe for being able to provide further plans is September-October. We also would like to go over the building design with TLM once more before proceeding with further work. We made a plan for Ivy to visit with the client in person during a pre-trip meeting for another project planned for later this year.
-MJC

04-May-2009
Message from TLM:
"Hope all is well at your end. I tried to call u after i reached my place but i was not able to get u. So i am sending this mail. We are now just waiting for the Structural Design from ur end. Once that is before us we can present it to the engineer and then he promised to start the work. Funds are picking up and the board decided to get started with the project at the earliest. I request u on behalf of TLM to kindly do the best possible in this regard and at the earliest. Please let me know when can that report be ready for us. Waiting eagerly for ur response basing on that i would proceed further."
-MJC

21-Jan-2009
Message from TLM:
"Wishing u a happy and wonderful New year. i tried to call u many a times but was not able to get u. I hope ur doing well and u must be packed with ur work. I went for S- marriage at Agra where i got to meet S-. I am fine and doing well by the grace of God. Thank u for the card u sent i did receive it.

Matthew because of the situation that prevailed in orissa we did not proceed with the work. But now we have decided to get along with the work. Though the fund is not to big but we decided to start and that's how we can expect fund in flow.

We are working with the officials for land conversion for building and also with regard to approval. We expect to get the approval within a week's time. So, i request u to send the structural design for the building. I do believe that u would help us in this regard too."

We'd like to take up the Detailed Design work soon, but our schedules are packed full through this season, and the funding level for construction is uncertain.
-MJC

05-May-2008
From TLM:
"Thanku for sending me the church design by speed post. i received it 2 to 3 days back . but i was out of station for more than 2 weeks. when the parcel had arrived i was not here and i just arrived today and so i am informing u about it.

Since long i am working on raising funds but so far nothing concrete has worked out. that is actually troubling . but waiting for his appointed time to come in our life and i do believe that at the right he would do great works. So, please do pray in this regard also. i am not worried much about the design part as it is in the right hands but now focusing on the other part seeing the design on paper come true very soon here in Semiliguda."
-MJC

30-Apr-2008
The Conceptual Design report was sent this week by post. All should receive in the next 1-2 weeks. Thanks all for serving with us!
-MJC

Contact
Matthew Coffey
phone: (011) 91-931-905-9694


- Financial Sponsors

Project Scope
True Light Ministries is a small ministry started by a lay-pastor who became a believer from a Hindu background. He developed a burden for the people of southern Orissa while he and his family were being stationed in Sunabeda for a career in a major industry nearby. Though originally from Andhra Pradesh, his commitment to serving the Lord (over 30 years) in Orissa carried over to his son, who has trained in seminary to be equipped to carry on the work of the ministry. Until now there hasn't been a place for believers to assemble in the area. Instead they meet in homes which are now inadequate to accommodate the number of people.

Land was recently purchased by the ministry in nearby Semiliguda for the purpose of creating a center where believers could come to fellowship regularly, to have a facility for holding conventions and other gatherings, and also to eventually start an English-medium elementary school. In addition, a literature center / small café are planned along with a dispensary / clinic. Though the critical need is for a meeting place for believers, all of these functions are felt needs in the working community settled in the region (because of two nearby industries) as well as the numerous tribal villages which surround the area.

eMi² has been requested to come and assist True Light Ministries in its planning for the Satya Jyothi Nagar (True Light Center). The project will involve site master-planning and conceptual architectural and civil engineering design for the first two phases of facilities planned for the center. The main focus of the design in phase 1 will be the fellowship hall (for 500 people) since the intention is to work out a conceptual design which is reviewed and finalized to the point that the ministry can hand over the plans at the end of the trip to a builder to begin the work as early as possible. Phase 2 is the community / convention center which will contain a mix of supporting functions.

Orissa is located on the middle-eastern side of the Indian peninsula, along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. In ancient times it was the center of several major Hindu kingdoms and its language, Oriya, was the parent of Sinhala, due to seafarers from Orissa who settled in Sri Lanka. Hindu kingdoms in Orissa withstood Mughal rulership from north and central India until the 16th century. In modern India, the state contains many large Tribal areas and peoples and is primarily agriculturally centered. This eMi2 project is currently being planned to run out of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), the former headquarters of British India and the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It will also include a day stop-over in the famous temple city of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, on the way back from the project site. Come and join us in Orissa in March!

Project Team
Matthew Coffey - eMi² Team Leader
Ivy Ng - eMi² Staff Architect
Ryan Quinn - eMi² Intern Engineer
Matthew Hood - eMi² Volunteer Architect
Raymond Chin - eMi² Volunteer Civil Engineer

Costs
Approximately $2,400 - $2,600
More information on project costs

Other Project Information
- eMi² Extras
- Volunteer Resources