The brain child of chef George Chen, China Live is a retail marketplace based in San Francisco, CA, offering a variety of modern, authentic Chinese experiences in one venue. After a research trip to Shanghai, the AvroKO team set to work creating vibrant, dynamic and interactive spaces that strive to de-mystify Chinatown’s many facets and ingredients while blending the aesthetics of contemporary China with western implementation. The marketplace connects retail, food service, culinary discovery and education featuring individual vendor and demo stations each focusing on a specialty ingredient or cooking technique, opening seating with wooden community tables and stools, hand-carved and hand-printed banners and signage informed by traditional Chinese woodblocking, a variety of materials including native blue Shanghai brick that is found throughout the city today as well as tile, canvas and blackened steel elements, a modified warehouse ceiling with brass bracing and more. The second floor is home to a variety of “secret” experiences including entrances and artwork as well as the tasting-menu-only restaurant Eight Tables, The Gold Mountain Lounge, and the Cold Drinks Bar.