Background

As one of the oldest active firms in Rhode Island, and one of the newest, Lerner | Ladds + Bartels has left its imprint on the landscape for over 70 years. While the Providence-based firm continues to grow and respond to an ever–changing environment, a commitment to thoughtful design remains our primary tenet.
Steven L. Lerner, AIA, whose father Samuel Lerner, FASCE, a professional engineer, founded the firm in 1934, became a principal in 1976 upon his registration as an architect. The name was changed from Samuel Lerner Associates to Lerner Associates, Inc., to reflect the multidisciplinary services of the firm.
Christian J. Ladds, AIA, LEED AP, a member of the firm since 1984, became a partner in 1990 and the firm name changed to Lerner | Ladds Architects, Inc. The firm received major commissions throughout the 1990’s that continued a trend to multi–faceted institutional work in addition to its portfolio of residential and commercial projects.
In January 2000 Lerner | Ladds + Bartels added a new partner, Kathleen A. Bartels, AIA, LEED AP, to the firm and to the name. The “plus” sign reflects the truly additive nature of the process that has seen the firm evolve over 60 years from its roots as a respected engineering firm, to one of the premier architecture firms in Rhode Island.
At the latest turning point, R. Drayton Fair, AIA, ALA, LEED AP, joined the firm as a partner in February 2003 bringing with him over 20 years of experience, primarily with libraries and public institutional clients.
Senior Associates Suzanne DiSalvo and Aimee Lombardo, AIA, with Associates Steven Webster and Mark Hallee, AIA, have been instrumental in the continued growth of the firm, leading the development of award-winning projects ranging from residential to institutional to public work.