Modern Warmth: Inside Architect Justin Sherry’s Own Custom Home

Founded by Justin Sherry in 2020 during a global pandemic after nearly a decade in the industry, Justin Sherry Design Studio is a dynamic architectural firm based in Ontario, Canada. 

With specialization in high-end residential homes, Justin Sherry Design Studio is renowned for creating unique and timeless spaces, blending modern aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship. Justin Sherry’s deep passion for design matches his unwavering commitment to delivering functional and visually striking projects. 

One of the standout projects of his career is his own home, where he integrated Dekko’s concrete cladding panels into key design elements. His work showcases a perfect balance of creativity and craftsmanship with an innovative material selection in his partnership with Dekko.

A Home That is Modern Yet Timeless

Justin’s home renovation reflects his design philosophy: an intersection of modern minimalism with elements of warmth and tradition. The home features a range of unique design features, including a partition wine wall, a suspended concrete wall in the bathroom and cladded panels in various spaces like the hallway and above the living room fireplace.

During the design stage, Justin embraced a modernist style with mid-century modern influences, incorporating materials like exposed concrete and real wood. His goal was to create a home that would feel warm and inviting rather than cold and impersonal, a common challenge when using concrete materials.

To achieve his goal, Justin turned to Dekko. Known for its lightweight, high-quality concrete cladding panels with customization flexibility, Justin knew it would be perfect as a key material throughout his home project.

Discovering Dekko

When Justin started on design, he knew concrete would play an integral part but faced a challenge. Concrete is heavy, structurally complex and oftentimes difficult to install. His initial thought was to include real concrete, but it presented logistical and budgetary concerns. After some research, he discovered Dekko Lightweight Concrete.

Despite originally thinking Dekko was a new player in the industry, he was drawn to the unique allure of the material and how it could offer a luxurious, yet practical solution for his home project. He ordered a sample box of Dekko’s concrete cladding panels and was impressed by their lightweight and distinctive design.

Dekko offered the look and feel of real concrete with none of the heavy lifting. This realization led Justin to call Dekko directly, and the team quickly got to work.

Dekko Enters the Chat

Dekko’s cladding panels were the perfect solution for various elements around the home, including the floating partition wine wall and suspended concrete wall in the bathroom. The panels gave the visual aesthetic of concrete without the weight or structural complexity. Justin was able to achieve his vision without compromising his design integrity.

Thanks to the reduced structural complexity, the panels were easier to install and offered significant cost savings compared to traditional concrete. Justin loved Dekko’s focus on true collaboration. Justin’s dedicated Dekko representative was highly accessible and attentive throughout the entire process, making the experience seamless.

“Dekko wasn’t just a supplier — they were a true partner, ready to support me in any way necessary,” Justin said. This relationship was extra valuable when the first challenge arose.

Delivering A Seamless Design

When it comes to manufactured build products, it is often accompanied by printed, inauthentic patterns. This can make installation more difficult as the repeated markings need to be consistent across a surface for a cohesive design. If they do not line up, it can be an eyesore and disrupt the beauty of the surface.

Justin was weary of this risk, expressing his concern about seeing the concrete’s imperfections once the panels were installed. However, he found that the beauty of Dekko panels comes from their unrepeated designs.

Dekko uses organic concrete, meaning each panel is one-of-a-kind and not manufactured with printed patterns. This delivers a more unique yet cohesive design that doesn’t require matching panels by their markings.

“Because every piece is different, there’s no pattern,” explained Justin. “You get the variation in shades of gray [and] a little bit of beige.”

This gave Justin the peace of mind he needed to ensure the design, from the concrete panel itself to the fastening system, would be completely seamless.

Precise Installation & Achieving the Perfect Floating Wall

One of the key challenges of the project was the design of the floating wall. A floating structure intended to bear weight requires careful engineering to ensure stability. Any floating piece of concrete would inevitably move, which could lead to issues with alignment and safety down the road.

To address this, Dekko’s design team used structural struts and L-beams to help support the wall while maintaining the striking floating appearance. Real concrete, being much heavier, would have added significant structural complexity to the installation. Dekko’s cladding panels made the floating design possible without compromising strength or aesthetics.

Being an architect himself, Justin was meticulous about every detail. Even the slightest measurement error could have led to challenges with the installation. While measuring and cutting Dekko panels can be tricky, just like any other material, Justin knew Dekko would be responsive if any replacement panels were necessary.

The installation process ended up being easy, and Justin never had to call Dekko for help, although he knew he could if it came to it.

The Warm Reveal

Despite initial concerns that his wife might find the concrete-heavy design too cold or industrial, Justin’s wife fell in love with the final result. The concrete elements became some of her favorite parts of her new home.

When guests get a tour for the first time, they often ask if the panels are real concrete. They are always surprised by how warm and textured the panels feel. The shades of grey, beige and ash create a natural warmth, which helps make the atmosphere feel inviting without sacrificing the modern aesthetic he was aiming for.

With such a positive experience, Justin frequently recommends Dekko to clients after they visit his home. The combination of easy installation, stunning design and quality customer service has made Dekko Justin’s go-to choice for future projects.

Design Your Next Project With Dekko

Dekko is transforming the way architects and designers approach concrete in their projects. With lightweight, high-quality cladding panels that mimic the aesthetic of real concrete with none of the hassle, Dekko’s panels provide beauty and functionality.

Whether you’re working on a residential project or designing a commercial space, Dekko’s innovative concrete cladding solutions can elevate your next project.