An architect by education and practice, Mr. Padmakumar  worked at HUDCO(Housing and Urban Development corporation) as General Manager. He began his professional life at COSTFORD under Laurie Baker. As an admirer of Baker's philosophy, he actively participated during the formation of LBC. Having done his higher studies at Institute of Housing Studies, Rotterdam on Inner City Revitalization and Urban Heritage,he has been engaged in dissemination of alternative approaches in architecture, design, building materials and construction, and in establishing and running of agencies engaged in the above works. He established and ran the Laurie Baker Building Centre at R K Puram, New Delhi, with the support of HUDCO and Slum & JJ Department of Municipal Corporation of Delhi.