Kim Salerno Principal, Architectural Designer
Kim, an architect by training, has practiced design throughout the country. Since 2014 she has been the principal and owner of Haven Designers, a Rhode Island based design studio focusing on residential architecture. She taught at the college level for over twenty years, teaching all aspects of two and three-dimensional design including architecture and graphic design. She received rigorous architectural training at highly regarded architecture firms in Boston and Philadelphia. Kim’s work is informed by a passion for history and years of exhibiting in museum contexts. She has worked widely in public design oversight, having served for many years as the Planning Board Chair for Newport, RI, accruing multiple policy achievements. She has also served on the Newport Historic District Commission.
Peter Friedrichs Municipal Planner, Lawyer
Peter has served as City Planner for Newport, RI and Director of Planning and Economic Development for Central Falls, RI, in addition to private sector planning, design, and consulting roles. He has served as staff for two municipal planning boards, a zoning board, and a redevelopment agency and has served both in the civil service and as a mayoral appointee with a multimillion dollar budget and half a dozen staff. Peter has written many municipal ordinances and has been involved in the passage of several state laws. He has been recognized by regional planning smart growth, and new urbanism organizations as well as the APA Economic Division. Peter has also worked in the real estate and construction industries and is experienced with project financing methodologies.
Steven Irvine Data Analyst, Architect
Steve, trained both as an architect and a biologist, brings an informed perspective to evaluating and understanding natural assets as well as a superior knowledge of data gathering and research paradigms. Irvine had a fifteen year career in architecture, working for large international firms, including campus planning. Later, as a biologist, he performed research on the effects of climate change on reproduction in marine organisms. He was principal investigator on numerous federal and state funded projects, and has many peer-reviewed publications. His contributions strengthen the Libra team by combining research data gathering and analysis work with experience in architecture and planning.