In Conversation with architect Cezary Bednarski
Cezary Bednarski MSc Dip Arch RIBA FRSA, founder of multiple award-winning Studio Bednarski, is a Polish-born architect based in London, whose extensive practice reflects thoughtful, contextually sensitive design, with strong emphasis on the importance of social justice. He views architecture as a shared dream, working together with clients for better living
Safia caught up with Cezary in his stunning home in Notting Hill to photograph the AW25/26 Indilisi collection - we're extremely grateful for their hospitality and kindness.
Cezary (right image) wears Indilisi's Unisex Shacket in Navy White Dot Hand Weave
Claudia (right image) wears Indilisi's Safia Denim Skirt in Indigo Denim Chambray
Safia: What is the architects role within social justice?
Cezary: Architecture and social justice intersect as architecture ought to be created on a solid platform of spatial, social and environmental justice and responsibility. By empowering marginalised communities and challenging systemic inequalities embedded in design practices architecture and urban planning can create equitable and inclusive environments for all.
Questioning planning and design practices that generate social injustices, and advocating for alternative approaches is a heavy burden. Some architects navigate towards novelty of forms and money, and work for unsavory sociopathic clients, boosting their egos and profits as the only end aim. What I find fascinating is the architects’ way with words. Many can explain bloody awful work as ‘inevitable’, and their work which is socially and environmentally damaging as ‘optimal’.
Safia: What excites you about being an architect?
Cezary: First of all, it is a polymath profession like no other. Architecture, the art of prototype, is a creative process, arguably the most complex one, and one that involves some of the biggest financial investments that humanity makes.
As a creator the architect is unique in that he/she does need a client and the client’s money to realise a creative vision. This immediately brings into the equation a dimension that does not exists in other art forms where costs are much lower and, leaving aside patronage, the creator can work alone and then sell his creation to a willing buyer.
What I like the most is the coherent, functional and graceful solving of 8-dimensional puzzles (3D, social, environmental, technical, individual with cost as the 8th dimension) and the notion that through my design work I can inspire, open minds and bring joy and pleasure. There are a few things that I do not enjoy about the practice of architecture, but we shall leave these out for now.
Safia: What was your most challenging project?
Cezary: It would have to be my own house in Notting Hill and being the architect and the client. A schizophrenic experience.
As the client I would ponder – has that architect gone off his rocker - he knows I have a minuscule budget, but he wants to create his magnum opus; at other times as the architect I would think – has that client gone off his rocker – he has no money yet pushes and pushes for quality of materials and details.
See more on his website: studio-bednarski.com
Shayla (left image) wears Indilisi's Shayla Top in White Self-Check with our Safia Denim Skirt in Indigo Denim Chambray
Claudia (right image) wears Indilisi's Safia Denim Skirt in Indigo Denim Chambray
Safia: How do you choose your clothes?
Cezary: Architecture and fashion design share a common denominator in that they both create and provide shelter. I tend to avoid ‘fashionable’ and chose functional purity of form and comfort with sprinkling of ‘interest’. Pleated front pants with waist at my actual waist level, no shoes with white soles, for example.
Safia: What is your favourite Indilisi piece?
Cezary: Items with hand embroidery are particularly joyful
Safia: What does ‘less is more’ mean to you?
Cezary: I am not much into slogans, styles or mental vignettes, but when I lecture on design, I tend to show shots of the Concord and the Spitfire. My message is this – these are two of the most beautiful flying objects created by humans. Yet there was no stylist/designer involved, and there is not a single gram of wasted material on either of them.
Timeless beauty tends to result from purposeful resolution of a functional need. I used to run a website titled Designed by Imbecile, which featured dysfunctional ‘stylish’ designs for objects and buildings, also by famous designers. I had to close it for legal reasons.
Safia: What are you currently reading?
Cezary: Mixing English and Polish (I tend to read non-English literature in Polish translations, rather than English, as my other languages are too weak for enjoying such literature in original). I have finished re-reading two brilliant books by Slawomir Mrozek and Marek Chlasko. On top of my bedside reading pile I now have Russell’s Unpopular Essays. In the living room Esther Woolfson’s How We Live With Other Species (loved her Corvus). Greatly enjoyed the Booker Prize winning Time Shelter by Gospodinov, whom I meet and pondered over the confusing meaning of ‘shelter’ in English – a shelter for time to hide in from the world, or a shelter in which the world can hide from time...
Safia: Who inspires you?
Cezary: I was to study astronomy before I landed in architecture. One of my all-time favourites was Richard Feynman. And so was Carl Sagan. Other than that, I tend to be inspired by ideas and thoughts rather that specific individuals. Emotionally my ongoing inspiration is the resilience and power of will of the people of Palestine.
Safia: Are you an optimist?
Cezary: When I am greeted with a question how I am – I tend to reply that I could be better, being an optimist. Then the kind English people inevitably ask me immediately what’s wrong with me. Being an Architects for Gaza project lead on a project for the mayor of Gaza City pushes my optimism to its limits.
With huge thanks to Cezary and Claudia for their letting us shoot in their home in Notting Hill and copious cups of delicious coffee :D
Architectural shots: Studio Bednarski
Article images: Cezary Bednarski, Safia Minney, Claudia Merkle, Shayla Sakora, Effie Peters.
1 comment
I ABSOLUTELY loved being part of this photoshoot! Such inspiring people & home 🌿