In the latest issue of Design Alive Home, the first Polish feature dedicated to an interior design project in Washington’s legendary Watergate Complex has been published.
In the article “Golden Hour,” the editors present the story of this extraordinary place and the creative vision of Nicholas Potts, the designer responsible for the apartment’s interior. Among the featured elements is a bespoke sideboard crafted in our Wrocław workshop—Bensari Workshop—co-created with artist Roland Grabkowski.
Craftsmanship in the context of an architectural icon
The Watergate Complex is a modernist legend—an architectural symbol of the 20th century.
When designing the apartment interior, Nicholas Potts consciously juxtaposed historical and contemporary elements, creating a dialogue between tradition and modernity.
He invited creators capable of merging artistic vision with the highest standards of craftsmanship. In this context, the inclusion of a piece from our workshop is a special distinction for us—a confirmation that handwork, precision, and attention to detail remain a universal language of expression.
A dialogue between artists
The sideboard featured in the Watergate project was created in collaboration with Roland Grabkowski, a Wrocław-based artist known for his formal experimentation.
The design took inspiration from the modernist façade of the Kameleon department store in Wrocław, designed by Erich Mendelsohn. With sculptural sensitivity, Roland reinterpreted the building’s horizontal divisions and rounded bays, translating them into a beautifully functional form.
This fusion of traditional joinery, contemporary design, and artistic sensibility resulted in an object perfectly suited to Potts’s narrative—a space where art and architecture meet in harmony.
About Bensari Workshop
Bensari Workshop is a woodworking studio based in Wrocław, Poland, specializing in handcrafted bespoke furniture rooted in traditional woodworking techniques. In addition to custom commissions, we also create collectible furniture pieces under the Bensari Ébénistes label and run woodworking courses for those passionate about the craft.
