![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7r1357p4sk7PyJfkX3J9zFE9vaqpi9dtlVc1ZSIEyRxPttEKNeoM6VvbprchvVUlScQ_pxoJs0KvWd0WOH3AqBiiSf0oAIew4ZfubsT8NYPb2RunSGouZ6BIyhqdA4f0NgrF2P7b_fM/s640/Sculpture+138.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCavjGH0FA8V2mXT-KdANUECT7QBEqveSP00bSaD0yqu_Rg6NAY50DZT723MBx1y0fw2b3kr0O2VeemnV-Pfebu2bPfnXKyx9hVe7v8FO4cvo_yeQMl_J7SvDf6txqsebvuV1hutYMQPI/s200/Sculpture+145.jpg)
As construction of the Midland Bank HQ (see below) was proceeding (it took fifteen years!),
Lutyens got another commission for a facade, behind which lesser architects would do the boring bits.
This was for a speculative office block opposite Victoria Station, built by the Duke of Westminster. Lutyens got the job because he was best mates with the Surveyor of the Grosvenor Estate, fellow-architect
Detmar Blow.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJgd3TiHUdarT-Y7JFsA_sioJuEp9htjrZCPAv4BcpA6BMtoabvunIfrKLRV9c4dVezUuEockK9j-Q5TydM-FM1P1UgAwjMn9s7EIMweHrN3oFG5XKe6NKnDTIaN0fxh5qhyphenhyphenORXpAq3M/s200/Sculpture+141.jpg)
The facade is neo-Classical, just like the Midland, and frankly a bit dull, although the recessed main entrance with its giant Doric columns has a spark.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AzmtuIlQDcjsfr5-9pgN8UwTXMV2kG_k1BJsYbh8PZs1a1FBSsahi9R9APeyD7S40fhXHBAjHfFIkgiG6mSYzvzJ7YE5n-wNP58oFxluloapuG90Wn3eDKx4LP6UuOGdc7D3efI7cjg/s200/Sculpture+142.jpg)
It was originally called Terminal House but was simply numbered after a recent revamp.
Little heads enliven keystones all over the building. One, above the front door, is a fierce face in a helmet surrounded by foliage. The helmet is very familiar but I can't place it. Tibet? South America?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezJBy_tDVoKkmPyJUCIkVlQCMU2RFrRDI2Dpj9UrOfdVU1m0wWrhT-2MTrtoaeu4xOR_k0VQuQbY7dJIOVX8cc9C3ZS6f03_vzbkAwKKgSQ0YbFwVfAeltwfjMmWSiy8fD8vCnElAwPg/s200/Sculpture+143.jpg)
My complete ignorance of botany means I can't identify any of the plants either. The man with the whacky beard on the left seems to be surrounded by grapes. Below, the serious guy has poppies, I think. I suspect they are all native crops and headdresses of a particular place. Anybody have any ideas where?