Jennifer and Matt were cofounders of Studio Aotu based in Shanghai.  As the lead designer, Jennifer and Matt collaborated closely on this well known Mexican Restaurant chain in Shanghai. Set along a busy expat avenue known as Lao Wai Jie, the project had to have dominant street presence to draw in customers off the street. The concept put forward was a facade that was almost completely operable in order to allow customers to feel the liveliness of the street and vice versa. Within the restaurant itself, the feeling of a rugged elegance was achieved with strategic use of Corten steel, concrete, perforated metal, glass and tile.