29.07.2019

New UEM office opened in Pematangsiantar

On July 29, 2019 the inauguration of the new UEM office of the Asian region in Pematangsiantar took place by the moderator, Dr. h.c. Willem Simarmata. The event was attended by many guests and several members of the UEM Management Team. After one and a half years of construction, the new office building was inaugurated. The move from the former regional office in Medan to the highlands of northern Sumatra will take place during the next months. The new location brings the UEM closer to its member churches and makes the communion of churches more visible. For example, for the Simalungun Church (GKPS), which gave one hectare of land to the UEM for the construction of the building. The new office building was designed according to contemporary aspects. The architecture is the skilful fusion of the traditional Batak style with modern style elements. The UEM Office building consists of the ground floor covering ​​320 m² and the first floor covering ​​171 m². The ground floor functions as work area, staff meeting room with the head of office’s room, lobby, library, UEM archives display area, pantry, server room and warehouse. The first floor is designed as worship room, which can also functions as small meeting room for about 30 participants. The construction was directly handled by construction committee. They assigned Architect Hotman Damanik to be responsible working on architectural details and the quality of building construction, for he is an architect consultant and construction manager by profession.

Architectural Meaning

The construction was conceptualized and build to be an environmental friendly building, which can maximized for energy savings, and reflecting contextual and office management. Floor to floor elements in the construction was designed to maintain fresh air circulation, making the office would be sufficiently oxygenated. It does not require an air conditioner unit. The cooling space concept in the building is supported by the number of cross ventilation system which installed through windows. It was aimed to guarantee sufficient air circulation to meet comfortable temperature and enough natural lighting inside the building. This concept is to minimalize the use of electricity. There is no work space division on the ground floor, except for the staff meeting room and head of office’s room. The open space office describes the centralized concept a strong work spirit, a solid team, facilitating mutual communication, coordination, and supporting transparency in the working. Such concept, combined with a strong leadership, is required, for the head of office in coordination work. The first floor functions as a worship room or chapel but also as training or seminar room to support for capacity building activities. As a mission organization, spirituality is the main capital or principal. This chapel becomes a tool for strengthening the spirituality of each individual. At certain times, this room may be used for training or implementing the joint programs, as the main task of the UEM Regional Office in Asia. The facade concept was a simple design but features a strong structure with the completion of the massive wall concept on the theme “less is more”, to meet the elegance and strong building image. As the mission organization is more of being simplistic than luxury. This new office building has the logo of UEM symbolizing the communion of churches in three continents. A big UEM logo in the front façade, will be with flag poles to raise the countries’ flag where UEM members are located. Instead of using aluminum, we used concrete materials on the roof, to reduce reflected light. It also functions roof top garden and meet the environmental concept and more space for solar panels. Also, this building brings another environment friendly concept by providing rainwater harvesting system. It collects rain water to the underground water tank. This harvested water will be used for lavatory and watering the plants. This system will help maintain a fresh environmental even during the dry season. Triangle shape applied on the massive wall in the right side of roof was taken from the "Bulang Simalungun". Bulang Simalungun is Simalungun’s traditional hat that means serving in joy and greatness. This shape is decorated with hand-carved symbols called “Simalungun Pinar Bulungni Andudur”, means interacting others, serving fulfilling promises, and building friendship. The ornament is also applied to the main column of the front porch which is known as Pinar Appul-Apul. The Pinar Appul-Apul depicts butterfly is spreading its wings. This ornament has a strong reminder for us to be focused in our goals, standard of work, harmony, synergy efficiency and effectivity. Another Simalungun ornament can be seen on the planks of the front porch. It is called Pinar Sihilap Bajaronggi (thunder lighting), that means a high sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, and symbolizes the condition of people who always yearn for those who are out of reach. Rev. Petrus Sugito, Deputy Executive Secretary Asia and head of the UEM regional office in Pematangsiantar.