Jõhvi Community House

2024 / III prize / 2905 m2

Category:  Public

Authors: Gert Guriev, Lisette Eriste, Markus Kaasik, Jana Pärn, Siim Tiisvelt

Jõhvi Community House: A Landmark of Connection and Inclusivity

Due to its location, the Jõhvi Community House must capture attention from multiple directions. It serves as a counterbalance to the large shopping center, invites students from both the Jõhvi Promenade and Hariduse Street Promenade to the library, welcomes visitors approaching from Ahtme, and remains visible within the complex network of intersecting roads.

The site plan of the Jõhvi Community House aims to preserve as much of the existing urban fabric as possible while integrating its spatial strengths into a cohesive whole. Along Hariduse Street, a calm axis is maintained, ensuring a quiet and safe space for students and local residents. Meanwhile, the more dynamic and expressive elements are directed towards Puru Road, where there is ample space and visibility for approaching visitors from various transport modes.

Given its location, the community house is designed to be visually accessible from all sides, with its surrounding outdoor spaces actively utilized. A prominent plaza has been established at the south-facing main entrance, while the existing promenade along Hariduse Street and the parking area along Puru Road have been preserved. To the southwest, small-scale structures accommodate children’s play areas and outdoor learning spaces. Between the parking area and Hariduse Street Promenade, a sculpture park with water features and fountains has been planned, enhancing the urban landscape.

Jõhvi Community House serves as a hub for integration across different age groups, ethnicities, functions, and cultures—a place for gathering, discovery, and learning. It is a dignified venue for ceremonial events, community theater, and receptions, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement.

Designed as a welcoming and democratic space, the community house stands as a Nordic embassy at the heart of Ida-Virumaa—open to all and embracing everyone. It offers a warm and homely environment for the residents of Jõhvi and Ahtme, enhancing the quality of local life. The location of this new community building beyond the railway that historically divided Jõhvi reaffirms the shifting urban center of the town, shaping its future identity and connectivity.