Jain Society Greater Atlanta 2008 11 Pratistha

Author(s): Jain Center of Greater Atlanta
Publisher: USA Jain Center Greater Atlanta

Page 24

Our Dreams Come True
by Shirish Gandhi, Member JSGA and Contractor of JSGA Temple
As is customary for such projects, there were a lot of changes from the initial design concept. However there was something clearly different for this project. Usually, because of escalating costs and budget constraints, project scope generally gets pared down. In case of our community, our ambitions and design kept getting bolder and bolder.
The road to the realization of our community's dreams has One of the toughest choices for the executive committee was been a long one and yet it seems only yesterday that JSGA the selection of marble material for the external cladding. This bought a nearly four acre site in historic district in a quite choice took more than three trips to Makarana, Rajasthan by small city of Norcross, within a stone's throw from some of our team and President Deepak Shah and Vice-President Anil Atlanta's most busy thoroughfares.
Shah. We along with the executive committee have spent
more time on this one issue than any other choices that have The initial healthy debate brought in a consensus around been made on this project. Finally we settled on '1.5' white the Jain Center of over 14,400 square feet, two-level facility Makarana marble, a number that indicates quality and clarity and was built in year 2000 for under a million dollars. This of the marble. Number one is usually reserved for idols only provided a focal point for this vibrant community's many and costs approximately three times as much and cannot be activities and is serving our interests very well. Newport had in sufficient quantities. Marble was carved in India and Design Group was selected as our architect for the temple brought to USA at Charleston, NC port in containers from project and Tony Patel was the natural choice as his creativity where it was railed and then trucked to the site. and design acumen had served our interests well on the original Jain Center project.
We also agonized a lot over the marble shikhar. The issue was
to compare the cost vs. the benefit, visibility versus appearance, The initial temple project started with as-built survey of existing marble as compared to other materials such as limestone or site on which Tony prepared the initial layout and design. A sandstone, gfrg (glass fiber reinforced gypsum) etc. Finally the team of professionals then went to work on the details. MEP executive committee decided on marble for the main shikhar designed the mechanical, electrical and plumbing facilities. and fiberglass for the four other domes. Structural engineers designed a steel frame with concrete block and concrete wall exterior. Civil engineer developed We have added the Rangmandap interior dome that has come the site design, parking lot, storm drainage, water, sewer and out beautifully and is made right here in USA out of gfrg landscaping. The approval process took much longer than material. We have added several decorative ceiling panels, anticipated as city has quite a rigorous review process winding also out of gfrg throughout the temple. We have added German through various departments and agencies. There was also an silver paneled doors with carved Jain motifs. We have also approval required from the Architectural review board of the added a bold medallion design under the Rangmandap in the city as well as a height variance appeal to the zoning board marble floor on the main level. for change from the customary 45' height limitation to the 70' height approval needed for the main shikhar.
The temple has many specific areas for pooja room, chandan
room, bhomati for 24 tirthankars, dheris for dev-devis and As is customary for such projects, there were a lot of gandhar, Digamber and Swetamber idols as well as a Dhyan changes from the initial design concept. However there was room for meditation. The building is fully sprinklered and has something clearly different for this project. Usually, because sprayed-on fireproofing. The building also has security alarm of escalating costs and budget constraints, project scope and fire alarm as well as a wonderful audio/video system for generally gets pared down. In case of our community, our viewing from several points in the building. ambitions and design kept getting bolder and bolder.
This project to me represents an excellent example of what a The community wanted a shikharbandhi temple for which community can collectively achieve. We have been extremely the weight of the marble shikhar came in at 150 tons. This fortunate to have played a small part in making this dream revision nearly doubled our structural steel cost and impacted come true and will be eternally grateful to the community for a lot of the design decisions.
giving us this opportunity.