Laurie Baker passes away

Eminent architect Laurie Baker, who devoted his life to popularising low-cost housing for the poor, died at his residence here today.

The 90-year-old British-born architect was survived by his Keralite wife Elizabeth, who he married some six decades ago.

Baker, who had been keeping indifferent health for some time, died at his self-designed home 'The Hamlet' on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, where he had been living since the early 1970s.

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Baker showed how the dream of a shelter for millions of homeless could be made a reality through low-cost building concepts that used traditional materials, knowledge, craftsmanship and skills.

Baker was born in Burmingham in Britain and received basic training in architecture at a local institute.