ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE
LOS ANGELES, MEXICO CITY, MADRID
About
There There is an award-winning architecture practice based in Los Angeles. Our work inhabits the intersections of material experimentation, cultural storytelling, and human experience.
We approach each project through a process that we call Unearthing—uncovering layers of meaning, both physical and intangible, past and present, that shape the identity of a place. Through this tabula-non-rasa method, our work proposes new imaginaries that dialogue with—rather than overwrite—the histories and livelihoods they emerge from.
Materiality lies at the core of our practice, deeply rooted in our Spanish cultural heritage. We are captivated by materials—its sources, qualities, and stories—and the craftsmanship that brings them to life. We experiment with durable and resilient materials that can withstand the climate catastrophes of our time. In a world obsessed with standardization, we lean into tradition—building on endangered crafts and reimagining materials in creative ways.
Our name, There There, borrows from Gertrude Stein’s lament: “There is no There there.” For us, it is a rallying cry against erasure. Through our work, we strive to reveal and honor the layers of meaning that define a place—so that there is always a "There" there.
PRINCIPAL
Monica Lamela is the founding principal of There There.Born in Madrid and now based in Los Angeles, her career has been shaped by a decade-long journey through Berlin, Paris, and Mexico City, collaborating with renowned practices such as Francis Kéré, Lacaton & Vassal, and Tatiana Bilbao Estudio. A 2019 Fulbright Fellow, Monica’s research focuses on uncovering hidden narratives and placing people at the center of design.
Monica holds a MArch from ETSAM and a MS in Architecture Theory from UC Berkeley. She taught at UC Berkeley, was a guest speaker at Otis College and ETH Zurich, and has served as a design critic at leading institutions including Sci-Arc, AA School London, Woodbury, Cal Poly Pomona, and USC. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design.
ALLIES
Shilpa Mevada
Gabriela Álvarez
Sofía Betancur
Raquel Ruiz
Violeta Ordóñez
Soledad Rodriguez
Valentina Marchetti
Mutuo
Puente Alameda
AWARDS
FUTURE HOUSE AWARD
Winner - Wasted No More
2025, Chicago Athenaeum
AN’S BEST OF DESIGN AWARD
Editors’ Pick - CloudRock
2024, The Architect's Newspaper
AN’S 2024 BEST OF PRACTICE
New Firm (West) - Honorable Mention
2024
AIA LA - NEXT LA
CloudRock
2023, Los Angeles, USA
AN’S BEST OF DESIGN AWARD
Otoch
2023, The Architect's Newspaper
AN’S PROJECT OF THE YEAR FINALIST
Otoch
2023, The Architect's Newspaper
EUROPAN 17
Eden-Berg
2023, Bad Lobestein, Germany
A+D MUSEUM DESIGN AWARDS
A Liquid Relationship
2023, LA, United States
CONCENTRICO FESTIVAL
Reset
2023, Logroño, Spain
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Dharā-Kshetra
2022, Bengaluru, India
EUROPAN 16
Free Mühlgang
2021, Graz, Austria
A+D MUSEUM DESIGN AWARDS
Unfixed Lifeworlds
2021, LA, United States
AIAS HONOR AWARD
Rave Assemblages
2021, United States
LAND ART GENERATOR
We are Guests in this Land
2021, Nevada, United States
SAN FRANCISCO AFFORDABLE HOUSING CHALLENGE
Home Sweet Home
2020, San Francisco, United States
PREMIO FELIX CANDELA
National Museum of Architecture
2019, Mexico City, Mexico
NEWS
GA Houses 199
Magazine featuring CloudRock
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Unearthing
Exhibition at Wedge Gallery
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14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennale
Selected Project - Wasted No More
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Hidden Gems: Meet Monica Lamela of There There
Interview at Voyage LA
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The Architect’s Newspaper: Best of 2024
Publication Featuring There There and CloudRock
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Unearthing Stories
Lecture at Otis College of Art and Design
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WAN Awards 2024
Invited Juror
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Bauwelt: Tabula non rasa
Magazine featuring EDEN BERG
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Patio - "Inefable"
Interview with Monica Lamela
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Archinect
Publication featuring CloudRock
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WAN Awards 2023
Invited Juror
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Design Awards 2023 - A+D Museum
Digital Exhibition featuring A Liquid Relationship
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"Por un mundo más justo, inclusivo y solidario"
Invterview with founder Monica Lamela
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Under the Influence
Lecture Series
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LINA conference
Publication featuring Free Mühlgang
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Preludio - Proyecto Publico Prim
Exhibition
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Oslo Triennale 2022
Publication featuring Free Mühlgang
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Seven Questions Curatorial
Guest speaker at ETH Zürich
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Living Cities - EUROPAN 16 Austria
Book featuring Free Mühlgang
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“Living Cities” - EUROPAN 16
Exhibition featuring Free Mühlgang
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Living Cities - EUROPAN 16
Book featuring Free Mühlgang
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Design Awards 2021 - A+D Museum
Digital exhibition featuring Unfixed Lifeworlds
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The Future of_Space//Reflections - A+D Museum
Digital exhibition featuring Ubiquitous Grid
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Land Art of the 21st Century, Hirmer Publishers
Book featuring We are Guests in this Land
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