Jay Valgora

Jay Valgora grew up in Buffalo, New York.{{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}} The steel mills where his father worked and the historic grain elevators of Buffalo influenced Valgora to become an architect.{{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}}

Valgora studied architecture at Cornell University (BArch), Harvard Graduate School of Design (MArch) and was a Fellow in the Fulbright Program to the United Kingdom.  At Harvard, Valgora studied under Pritzker Prize-winning Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza Vieira.{{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}}

In London, Valgora commenced his investigations into industrial waterfronts,{{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}} continuing with a Fulbright Fellowship.{{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}}

In 1993, Valgora became design director of Rockwell Group, leading designs for the Cirque du Soleil theater, the Dolby Theatre (then known as the Kodak Theatre), the first W Hotel, and Mohegan Sun.{{Cite journal |last=Menking |first=William |date=2018-01-18 |title=Studio Visit, Studio V |url=https://www.archpaper.com/ |journal=Architect's Newspaper}} Starting in 1998, as design principal of WalkerGroup, Valgora designed buildings in the United States, Spain, and Japan{{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}} and began his investigations into combining contemporary design with historic and industrial architecture.{{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}}

In 2000, Valgora established V Studio, a design studio.{{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}} In 2000, Valgora designed the Iwataya Passage in Fukuoka Japan,{{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}} and designed the set for Double Exposure, a multi-media dance production by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater that premiered at Lincoln Center, New York.{{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}}

This practice formed the basis for founding Studio V Architecture in 2006.{{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}} He began to focus on the redesign of industrial waterfronts to transform former industrial sites.{{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}}{{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}}

Valgora's design methodology focuses on critical inquiry engaging contemporary form with historic structures.{{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}}{{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}} Architectural examples include the J + K Residence (contemporary townhouse inserted on top of an historic hotel),{{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}} Bronx Post Office, Macy's Herald Square (historic fabric contrasting contemporary fabrication){{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}} and Hunts Point train station, originally designed by Cass Gilbert.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

Valgora's designs for the Empire Stores{{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}} addresses many of his design principles  within a single project, combining historic and contemporary architecture.{{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}}{{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}} His project  “Silo City,” which transformed the grain elevators in Buffalo, NY into an arts and cultural center, features art galleries mixed with velodromes, residences and community gardens.{{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}}

His design for the abandoned Michigan railway bridge spanning the Niagara Gorge between the US and Canada proposed converting the bridge into an elevated public park, hotel, and museum.

His design for Iwataya Passage in Fukuoka, Japan features a reinterpreted underground public street with illuminated glass and cable structures connecting train stations, hotel, and stores. Valgora's Flushing River master plan envisioned a new waterfront community with elevated esplanades and parks.{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}}

• Empire Stores, Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY
• Iwataya Passage, Fukuoka, Japan
• Yonkers Raceway Expansion, Yonkers, NY
• Macy's Herald Square, New York City{{Cite web |date=2012-09-19 |title=Macy's iconic NYC flagship store getting $400M makeover |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/macy-s-iconic-nyc-flagship-store-getting-400m-makeover-1.962442 |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}

• Industry City master plan (Bush Terminal), Sunset Park, NY
• Seaside, Queens master plan, the Rockaways, NY{{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}}
• Anable Basin, original master plan Long Island City, NY{{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}}
• Flushing River master plan, Flushing, NY{{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}}
• Stamford Transportation Center, Stamford, CT{{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}}
• Halletts Point, Queens, NY{{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}}
• The Tanks, Bushwick Inlet Park, NY{{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}}
• Astoria Waterfront, Queens, NY{{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 |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=Curbed NY |language=en}}
• Silo City, Buffalo, NY{{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}}

• 50 Murray, New York City, interior design{{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}}
• Morimoto Asia, Lake Buena Vista, FL{{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}}
• J+K Residence, Manhattan, NY{{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}}

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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