Paul Mikula enrolled at the University of Natal School of Architecture in 1961 and started his first practice Paul Bill Studios between 1963 and 1965. During 1967-89 he lectured part time at various institutions and held exhibitions both locally as well as abroad.

In 1967 BDG (Building Design Group) Architects was founded by Paul Mikula, Bryan Lee, John Edgar, Brian Kearney, Tony Wilson and Peter Seward. In 1970 branch offices were located in Lesotho, Swaziland and Johannesburg. Paul left BDG in 1977. He took up the position of development director of the Urban Foundation of Natal where he worked with communities and ran a studio with many university students and ex- BDG colleagues. During the Urban Foundation period he travelled to Europe and India and did several presentations and talks at universities in England and Germany. He left the Urban Foundation in 1986 but remained a director. Paul opened a private architectural practice with Robert Johnson in 1984-1987, and a development and communications consultancy with Alan Mountain. During this period they did a major reconstruction and urban renewal project in Austerville Durban. Mikula Vines Associates Architects and Town Planners, and AMV Project Managers with Georgio Antoni and Simon Vines were founded in 1987.