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

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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THERE THERE architecture

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED – 2024