# Jay Valgora

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{{Short description|American architect, architectural theorist, and urbanist}}
{{Infobox architect
| name = Jay Valgora
| practice = [Studio V Architecture](/source/Studio_V_Architecture)
| significant_buildings = [Empire Stores](/source/Empire_Stores), [Iwataya](/source/Iwataya) Passage, [Yonkers Raceway Expansion](/source/Yonkers_Raceway_%26_Empire_City_Casino), [Macy's Herald Square](/source/Macy's_Herald_Square)
| significant_projects = [Industry City](/source/Industry_City) master plan (Bush Terminal), 
[Seaside, Queens](/source/Seaside%2C_Queens) master plan, the Rockaways, NY
[Anable Basin](/source/Anable_Basin),  original master plan Long Island City, NY
| image = Jay Valgora.jpg
}}

'''Gerald Valgora''' (/jeɪ væl-gɔr-a/;) also known as '''Jay Valgora''', is an American [architect](/source/architect), architectural theorist, and [urbanist](/source/Urbanism).  He is the founder and principal of the architectural design firm [Studio V](/source/Studio_V_Architecture).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Goff |first=Lisa |date=2008-02-18 |title=Young architecture firms land work in the boroughs |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/assets/pdf/CN39069216.PDF |journal=Cran's |volume=XXIV |issue=7 |pages=28}}</ref><ref name="Jay Valgora: Industrial Revolution">{{Cite web |title=Jay Valgora: Industrial Revolution |url=https://soa.syr.edu/live/events/660-jay-valgora-industrial-revolution |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=soa.syr.edu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-04 |title=Astoria Cove Architect: East River is 'Next Central Park' |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2014/11/astoria-cove-architect-east-river-is-next-central-park/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Commercial Observer |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2014-05-02 |title=Coming Soon To Brooklyn: A Silicon Valley-Like Tech Hub On The East River |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3029380/coming-soon-to-brooklyn-a-bustling-silicon-valley-like-tech-hub-on-the-east-river |website=[Fast Company](/source/Fast_Company)}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Jay Valgora grew up in Buffalo, [New York](/source/Lackawanna%2C_New_York).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Featured Member: Jay Valgora, FAIA |url=https://www.aiany.org/news/featured-member-jay-valgora-faia/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=AIA New York |language=en-US}}</ref> The steel mills where his father worked and the historic [grain elevator](/source/grain_elevator)s of Buffalo influenced Valgora to become an architect.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jay Valgora - STUDIO V Architecture |url=https://getpodcast.com/podcast/all-good-vibes/jay-valgora-studio-v-architecture_72c6647c3c |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=GetPodcast |language=en}}</ref>
Valgora studied architecture at [Cornell University](/source/Cornell_University) (BArch), [Harvard Graduate School of Design](/source/Harvard_Graduate_School_of_Design) (MArch) and was a Fellow in the [Fulbright Program](/source/Fulbright_Program) to the United Kingdom.<ref name="Jay Valgora: Industrial Revolution"/>  At Harvard, Valgora studied under Pritzker Prize-winning Portuguese architect [Alvaro Siza Vieira](/source/%C3%81lvaro_Siza_Vieira).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jay Valgora's schedule for 2013 MAS Summit for New York City |url=https://massummit2013.sched.com/speaker/jayvalgora |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=massummit2013.sched.com}}</ref>

In London, Valgora commenced his investigations into industrial waterfronts,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parry |first=Bill |date=2014-11-13 |title=Astoria Cove architect applauds City Council decision – QNS.com |url=https://qns.com/2014/11/astoria-cove-architect-applauds-city-council-decision/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=qns.com |language=en-US}}</ref> continuing with a Fulbright Fellowship.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2014 |title=At the Desk of John Valgora |url=https://issuu.com/trdpages/docs/026trd1214 |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=The Real Deal |language=en}}</ref>

== Career ==
In 1993, Valgora became design director of [Rockwell Group](/source/Rockwell_Group), leading designs for the [Cirque du Soleil](/source/Cirque_du_Soleil) theater, the [Dolby Theatre](/source/Dolby_Theatre) (then known as the Kodak Theatre), the first [W Hotel](/source/W_Hotels), and [Mohegan Sun](/source/Mohegan_Sun).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Menking |first=William |date=2018-01-18 |title=Studio Visit, Studio V |url=https://www.archpaper.com/ |journal=Architect's Newspaper}}</ref> Starting in 1998, as design principal of WalkerGroup, Valgora designed buildings in the United States, Spain, and Japan<ref>{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Glenn |date=2003-12-03 |title=In Dumbo, Remaking a White Elephant; Brooklyn Waterfront Landmark, Long Abandoned, Awaits New Life |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/03/nyregion/dumbo-remaking-white-elephant-brooklyn-waterfront-landmark-long-abandoned-awaits.html |access-date=2023-01-18 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and began his investigations into combining contemporary design with historic and industrial architecture.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-14 |title=Reviving Brooklyn's Waterfront, 19th Century Warehouses Evolve Into 21st Century Hubs |url=https://www.archdaily.com/427667/reviving-brooklyn-s-waterfront-19th-century-warehouses-evolve-into-21st-century-hubs |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=ArchDaily |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2000, Valgora established V Studio, a design studio.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garbarine |first=Rachelle |date=2004-05-07 |title=Residential Real Estate; Condos to Rise Near the Pepsi Sign in Long Island City |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/07/nyregion/residential-real-estate-condos-to-rise-near-the-pepsi-sign-in-long-island-city.html |access-date=2023-01-18 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 2000, Valgora designed the Iwataya Passage in [Fukuoka Japan](/source/Fukuoka%2C_Japan),<ref name="Louie">{{Cite news |last=Louie |first=Elaine |date=2000-09-07 |title=CURRENTS: PASSAGEWAYS; Seeing the Light Throughout the Tunnel |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/07/garden/currents-passageways-seeing-the-light-throughout-the-tunnel.html |access-date=2023-01-18 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and designed the set for ''Double Exposure'', a multi-media dance production by [Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater](/source/Alvin_Ailey_American_Dance_Theater) that premiered at Lincoln Center, New York.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-03-16 |title=Double Exposure |url=https://www.alvinailey.org/performances/repertory/double-exposure |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater}}</ref>

This practice formed the basis for founding Studio V Architecture in 2006.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2013-01-28 |title=Studio V |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2013/01/studio-v/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |language=en-US}}</ref> He began to focus on the redesign of industrial waterfronts to transform former industrial sites.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterfront Management Advisory Board - DCP |url=https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/about/wmab/wmab.page |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=www1.nyc.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-19 |title=Comprehensive Waterfront Plan charts the course for the future of New York City |url=https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2021/12/19/comprehensive-waterfront-plan-charts-the-course-for-the-future-of-new-york-city/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Brooklyn Eagle |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Design philosophy ==
Valgora's design methodology focuses on critical inquiry engaging contemporary form with historic structures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SAAHP Lecture Series: Jay Valgora {{!}} Roger Williams University |url=https://www.rwu.edu/events/saahp-lecture-series-jay-valgora |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.rwu.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-14 |title=Reviving Brooklyn's Waterfront, 19th Century Warehouses Evolve Into 21st Century Hubs |url=https://www.archdaily.com/427667/reviving-brooklyn-s-waterfront-19th-century-warehouses-evolve-into-21st-century-hubs |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=ArchDaily |language=en-US}}</ref> Architectural examples include the J + K Residence (contemporary townhouse inserted on top of an historic hotel),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xie |first=Jenny |date=2018-12-04 |title=Gilsey House Rooftop Penthouse by STUDIO V Architecture - Luxury New York Penthouse |url=https://www.dwell.com/article/gilsey-house-studio-v-architecture-6cbb3c3c |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Dwell}}</ref> [Bronx Post Office](/source/Bronx_General_Post_Office), [Macy's Herald Square](/source/Macy's_Herald_Square) (historic fabric contrasting contemporary fabrication)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stella 34 Trattoria {{!}} 2013-07-16 {{!}} Architectural Record |url=https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7949-stella-34-trattoria |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.architecturalrecord.com |language=en}}</ref> and [Hunts Point](/source/Hunts_Point%2C_Bronx) train station, originally designed by [Cass Gilbert](/source/Cass_Gilbert).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gill |first=John Freeman |date=2022-01-28 |title=In the Bronx, a Push to Save Cass Gilbert's Train Stations |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/28/realestate/cass-gilbert-train-stations-bronx.html |access-date=2023-03-14 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Valgora's designs have also juxtaposed different uses for a single structure, as seen in his design for Frank 57, which includes a hospital, three types of residences (luxury, affordable, and co-living), and retail.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frank 57 West |url=https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=589&mode=hm&compID=12786 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=architectureprize.com}}</ref>

Valgora's designs for the [Empire Stores](/source/Empire_Stores)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Empire Stores by Jay Valgora, Aia, Aicp, Leed Ap, Studio V Architecture {{!}} International Design Awards™ Winners |url=https://www.idesignawards.com/winners/zoom.php?eid=9-16487-18 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=www.idesignawards.com}}</ref> addresses many of his design principles  within a single project, combining historic and contemporary architecture.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-14 |title=Empire Stores, 2019 ULI Global Awards for Excellence Winner |url=https://americas.uli.org/empire-stores-2019-global-awards-for-excellence-finalist/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=ULI Americas |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=Spring 2019 |title=Empire Stores |url=https://digital.bnpmedia.com/publication/?i=577014&p=32 |journal=Oculus |volume=81 |issue=1 |pages=30}}</ref> His project  “Silo City,” which transformed the grain elevators in [Buffalo](/source/Buffalo%2C_New_York), NY into an arts and cultural center, features art galleries mixed with [velodrome](/source/velodrome)s, residences and community gardens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Silo City – World Buildings Directory {{!}} Architecture Search Engine |url=https://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.com/entries/silo-city/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

His design for the abandoned Michigan railway bridge spanning the [Niagara Gorge](/source/Niagara_Gorge) between the US and Canada proposed converting the bridge into an elevated public park, hotel, and museum.<ref name=":2" />

His design for Iwataya Passage in [Fukuoka, Japan](/source/Fukuoka%2C_Japan) features a reinterpreted underground public street with illuminated glass and cable structures connecting train stations, hotel, and stores.<ref name="Louie" /> Valgora's Flushing River master plan envisioned a new waterfront community with elevated esplanades and parks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vatner |first=Jonathan |date=2011-04-13 |title=For Flushing and Its Waterfront, Time to Think Big |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/13/realestate/commercial/13flushing.html |access-date=2023-03-14 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Valgora's design for the adaptive reuse of oil tanks at Maker Park / The Tanks was also the subject of debate on the adaptive reuse of industrial structures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Justin |date=2019-06-17 |title=Can a Gas Tank Be a Playground? Dueling Ideas for Bushwick Inlet Park |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/06/the-tanks-in-bushwick-inlet-park.html |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Intelligencer |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wachs |first=Audrey |date=2019-08-07 |title=Contested oil tanks in Bushwick Inlet Park are being demolished to make way for open space |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2019/08/contested-oil-tanks-bushwick-inlet-park-demolished/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Notable works ==

=== Architecture ===
* [Empire Stores](/source/Empire_Stores), Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY<ref name=":1" />
* [Iwataya](/source/Iwataya) Passage, Fukuoka, Japan<ref name="Louie"/>
* [Yonkers Raceway](/source/Yonkers_Raceway_%26_Empire_City_Casino) Expansion, Yonkers, NY<ref name=":2" />
* [Macy's Herald Square](/source/Macy's_Herald_Square), New York City<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-09-19 |title=Macy's iconic NYC flagship store getting $400M makeover |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/article/macys-iconic-nyc-flagship-store-getting-400m-makeover/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref>

=== Urban Design ===
* [Industry City](/source/Industry_City) master plan (Bush Terminal), Sunset Park, NY<ref name=":2" />
* [Seaside, Queens](/source/Seaside%2C_Queens) master plan, the Rockaways, NY<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valgora |first=Julian M. |date=2020-12-17 |title=Seaside Rockaway |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/97562da754ea4223b41b9d11c6025d4f |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=ArcGIS StoryMaps |language=en}}</ref>
* [Anable Basin](/source/Anable_Basin), original master plan Long Island City, NY<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-03-01 |title=QUEENS GETTING A ROYAL UPGRADE |url=https://nypost.com/2009/03/01/queens-getting-a-royal-upgrade/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [Flushing River](/source/Flushing_River) master plan, Flushing, NY<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vatner |first=Jonathan |date=2011-04-13 |title=For Flushing and Its Waterfront, Time to Think Big |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/13/realestate/commercial/13flushing.html |access-date=2023-01-18 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* [Stamford Transportation Center](/source/Stamford_Transportation_Center), Stamford, CT<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-06 |title=Walking the Rails |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2013/08/walking-the-rails/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [Halletts Point](/source/Hallets_Point), Queens, NY<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-05 |title=City Council OKs Halletts Point megadevelopment rezoning amendment |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/city-council-oks-hallets-point-megadevelopment-rezoning-amendment |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=Crain's New York Business |language=en}}</ref>
* The Tanks, [Bushwick Inlet Park](/source/Bushwick_Inlet_Park), NY<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Justin |date=2019-06-17 |title=Can a Gas Tank Be a Playground? Dueling Ideas for Bushwick Inlet Park |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/06/the-tanks-in-bushwick-inlet-park.html |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=Intelligencer |language=en-us}}</ref>
* Astoria Waterfront, Queens, NY<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Zoe |date=2015-07-24 |title=Two More Big Developments May Rise on Astoria's Waterfront |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2015/7/24/9936964/two-more-big-developments-may-rise-on-astorias-waterfront |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226062939/http://ny.curbed.com/2015/7/24/9936964/two-more-big-developments-may-rise-on-astorias-waterfront |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 26, 2016 |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=Curbed NY |language=en}}</ref>
* Silo City, Buffalo, NY<ref>{{Cite web |title=Silo City by Studio V Architecture wins The Future Project of the Year 2021 at WAF |url=https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/emccc/silo-city-by-studio-v-architecture-wins-the-future-project-of-the-year-2021-at-waf.html |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=World Architecture Community |language=en}}</ref>

=== Interior Design ===
* 50 Murray, New York City, interior design<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lower Manhattan apartment project ready to rent. (Residential). - Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lower+Manhattan+apartment+project+ready+to+rent.+(Residential)-a087870135 |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com}}</ref>
* Morimoto Asia, Lake Buena Vista, FL<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morimoto Asia wins AIA Orlando's Design Built Award of Merit |url=https://interiordesign.net/designwire/morimoto-asia-wins-aia-orlando-s-design-built-award-of-merit/ |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=Interior Design |language=en-US}}</ref>
* J+K Residence,  Manhattan, NY<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xie |first=Jenny |date=2018-12-04 |title=Gilsey House Rooftop Penthouse by STUDIO V Architecture - Luxury New York Penthouse |url=https://www.dwell.com/article/gilsey-house-studio-v-architecture-6cbb3c3c |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=Dwell}}</ref>

== References ==
<references />

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Valgora, Jay}}
Category:20th-century American architects
Category:21st-century American architects
Category:Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning alumni
Category:Harvard Graduate School of Design alumni
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:Living people

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jay Valgora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Valgora) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Valgora?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.