Frank Baines

Sir Frank Baines, KCVO, CBE, FRIBA (1877–1933) was chief architect at the British Office of Works from 1920 to 1927.

Thames House is currently the headquarters of the British Security Service (MI5) and Imperial Chemical House was built as the headquarters for Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI).

However, he is also known for perpetuating the arts and crafts style into the mid-20th century, particularly by his large estates at Eltham, Roe Green, Kingsbury, and Camberwell, which in turn influenced housing provision by such bodies as the London County Council.

Baines was born in Stepney, and educated at the People's Palace School and later under architect and designer Charles Robert Ashbee.

He later divided his life between Clapham, St Keverne Cornwall, and Loughton, Essex, near his brother, Hubert, and sister, Ethel, where he was a keen gardener.