Jõhvi Gets a New Modern and Cozy Integration-Promoting Library-Community Center

In cooperation between Jõhvi Municipality and the Estonian Architects' Association, the architectural competition for the Jõhvi Library-Community Center and its surrounding outdoor area was won by the design concept "Lukukivi" by Liis Uustal and Egon Metusala (architecture bureau ABMA). According to the architects' vision, the library will get a new building with a strong character that radiates warmth.

The new building of the Jõhvi Library-Community Center is planned for the southern part of Jõhvi town, between Puru Road and Hariduse Street. The architectural competition, through which the best solution for the building was sought, received 20 design concepts. The jury members were pleasantly surprised that the competition generated such great interest and that the quality of the submitted design concepts was at such a high level.

"The competition area is one of the fastest developing areas in Jõhvi town, and the municipality plans to develop this area further, turning it into a quality and human-centered public space," commented Vallo Reimaa, the jury chair and Chair of the Jõhvi Municipal Council.

According to Reimaa, the construction of the new library and community center building will help transform this urban area into a more pedestrian-friendly urban space, which connects the educational district surrounding the area with different functions, the residential building area, the shopping center, the park behind it, and the historic Jõhvi center.

"Our firm intention is to definitely realize the library and community center building, the ideas for which have been pondered for at least 10 years. It is encouraging that our application received support in the round of state support measures, the corresponding municipal council decision also exists, and we can move forward with the project," confirmed Vallo Reimaa. The municipality's goal is to complete the educational district project, and since large public buildings are not often built in Jõhvi, expectations for the new building are high.

"A suitable puzzle piece placed in the right spot in urban space can open new opportunities for the entire surrounding area. The goal was indeed to select such a work that would be a good example of public space and future-oriented, so that at some point the rest of the public space could also catch up with the project," added Reimaa. The jury found that the design concept "Lukukivi" by architecture bureau ABMA best meets all high expectations.

The jury emphasized that the "Lukukivi" building has an impressive, recognizable and original, but not overly complex form. Unlike many other works, the building relates differently to the entire surrounding city, and many find the emphasis of the main entrance with a canopy pleasant. The rising building roof does not appear as a dominating tower, yet still catches the eye as an accent from the street intersection and is also well visible when approaching from the historic Jõhvi town center. The jury was also charmed by the proposed human-scale semi-indoor courtyard solution, which fills an otherwise open area.

In the jury's assessment, the building has a strong character and conceptual structure that stands out from the rest – the geometric pentagonal house is like a faceted stone among others, as if a geometric Jõhvi resident. The building is spacious, contemporary, light-filled and does not appear elitist or expensive. The spatial layout is good and encourages library work and youth integration. The work radiates warmth, and the clay pipe in the children's area is a charming additional nuance.

The architectural competition prize fund was 37,000 euros and the jury decided to award prizes

as follows:

I Prize (13,000 €) for the design concept with the motto "LUKUKIVI", authors: Liis Uustal and Egon Metusala (ABMA OÜ)

II Prize (10,000 €) for the design concept with the motto "PÖÖRE", authors: Maarja Kask, Ralf Lõoke, Martin McLean (Salto architects OÜ).

III Prize (7000 €) for the design concept with the motto "KOMPASS", authors: Lisette Eriste, Gert Guriev, Markus Kaasik, Jana Pärn, Siim Tiisvelt (Three Plus One OÜ)

Encouragement Prize (3500 €) for the design concept with the motto "RÄNDRAHN", authors: Kevin Yoan Josse, Viesturs Dille, Daila Elksne, Rita Laudere, Karlis Lauders, llze Rukšane, Metra Augškapa, Rain Veidenberg, Alar Tarto (Lauder Architects SIA and Weidenberg OÜ)

Encouragement Prize (3500 €) for the design concept with the motto "ORDOVIITSIUM", authors: Ülo Peil, Greta Anet Ojavee, Mia Martina Peil, Eneli Kleemann, Katariina Mustasaar (Architecture Bureau Peil OÜ)

The competition jury included Chair of the Jõhvi Municipal Council and Jury Chair Vallo Reimaa, Jõhvi Central Library Director Eve Kottise, Jõhvi Municipal Architect Nelli Sameli, and architects Lembit-Kaur Stöör and Kristel Niisuke as representatives of the EAL.

The first prize of the competition is supported by the Estonian Cultural Endowment.

All design concepts submitted to the competition can be viewed here.