Sensus Design Studio is a private residence design firm based in Toronto, ON, with projects across North America. The firm is led by Principal Designer Jesse Sahlani, renowned for the creation of experiential environments through his multidisciplinary design process in some of the most storied locations across the continent. By being in control of the architectural design, interior design, landscape design, and furnishings, he develops his design vision to create a seamless connection between every element of the home and its surroundings.

His classically restrained and historically informed approach has not only led to the tasteful reinterpretation of historic design styles, but he has done so with a high degree of connectivity between all elements of the home in the context of the natural setting at hand. To achieve this, Jesse’s focus is the creation of timeless design that transcends popular opinion, common division of space, and trendy aesthetics in search of a body of work that will stand the test of time in both form and function.

Founded by brothers Jesse and John-Luke Sahlani, Sensus Design Studio is the conduit through which his work is brought to fruition. Over the past decade, the duo have been responsible for developing an iconic catalogue of unique private residences that have characterized the streetscapes of some of the most well-known communities across the continent.

Jesse Sahlani designs each facet of the private residences commissioned through Sensus Design Studio with a sketch, a function of his multi-disciplinary skillset that allows him to approach each design project as a cohesive body of work that should feel artistic and intentional. To achieve this, he looks at each home as a Rubix cube, at first taking into consideration factors that impact the composition of the home including natural light and topographical considerations. From there, he designs a unique footprint for each home, an approach that has become a signature of his that impacts every exterior proportion, interior proportion, view point, and indoor-outdoor connection point.

From this point Jesse starts to sketch the facade, as he seeks to accurately communicate the proportions he envisions to a viewer. Throughout this journey, he indulges in an unbound creative exploration process where every single element from both a compositional and detailing perspective is reviewed critically to ensure that it captures the timeless and soulful character desired within the grand scheme of the body of work at hand. The importance of this creative practice is echoed throughout Jesse’s portfolio, as his work carries a distinct sense of recognition as if it were his fingerprint in a way.

From there, the fluid artistic sketches are brought to life in photorealistic 3D rendered form, full-scale floor plans, and interior design material boards, ensuring that every detail of the project is well-explained and molded around the lifestyle, hobbies, and family structure of the each client.

And while the scope of admiration for Jesse’s work has grown far past the borders of Ontario, it is in his hometown of Toronto where he gained much of his experience and local recognition. Jesse and his team have worked with almost every municipal zoning review, conservation authority, and building permit office in Southern Ontario to see through the permitting and approval processes required to start construction. It is through this process, as well as his keen involvement in the construction phase, that results in the creation of the desired environment by bringing each detail to fruition.