Pistolera

Jennifer and Matt were co-founders of Studio AoTu, a design practice based in Shanghai. As lead designer, Jennifer worked closely with Matt on this well-known Mexican restaurant chain located along Lao Wai Jie, one of Shanghai’s busiest expatriate dining streets.

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Set within a dense and highly competitive commercial corridor, the project needed a strong street presence to attract pedestrians and create an immediate connection with the energy of the avenue. The design response was an almost fully operable façade, allowing the restaurant to open directly to the street and blur the boundary between interior dining and the lively public realm.

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Inside, the restaurant balances ruggedness with refinement. Corten steel, concrete, perforated metal, glass, and tile are used strategically to create an atmosphere of casual elegance — durable, energetic, and distinctly urban.