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A chat with Diana Shchukin: Career, life and designing spaces that inspire

12 May 2025

Diana Shchukin, Associate and Interior Designer at JTB Architects, has an innate ability to blend sustainability, innovation and aesthetic beauty in her design work. With a passion for interior design that began in her childhood, Diana has spent her career refining her craft, working across a wide range of projects in both Canada and New Zealand. At JTB Architects, she brings her expertise to a variety of sectors, from residential to commercial, creating spaces that not only reflect architectural vision but also enhance the human experience. With a growing interior design team, Diana has been instrumental in integrating interior design into the architectural process, ensuring a cohesive and thoughtful approach from start to finish. We chat to her about her role and journey into design: 

Tell us a bit about JTB Architects and the different projects you oversee? 

“JTB Architects is an award winning NZIA registered practice. Our team works from studios in Auckland, Nelson, Christchurch, Wānaka and Wellington. While our spread ranges across the country, we think of ourselves as both a multi-resourced firm, and a boutique practice.  

“I joined the company in 2019 to bring in-house interior design services to our clients, and this is now a growing interior design team. Most of the firm’s projects will incorporate an interior design component, and we work collaboratively across all our projects in many sectors; commercial, residential, public, aged care and multi-res, among others. This means the interior design team will be involved from day one, and the architectural vision is consistent right through.” 


One of Diana’s projects, Motueka River Lodge, is a mix of tranquillity and character nestled amongst the stunning natural landscape. The timber beams, metal roof and metal structure are painted in Resene Nocturnal.Design by JTB Architects, image by Colleen Tuncliff.  

What has your career path been like to get you to where you are today? 

“I often think my career path began in my mum’s fabric box; my mum made many of our clothes and I loved using the offcuts to create doll furniture using fabric scraps and cardboard. A friend’s parent noted this and said something offhand (as adults do) along the lines of “You could be an interior designer”. I latched onto that as my dream and it’s been interior design ever since.  

“I graduated high school early and studied Interior Design at the nearby Centre for Arts while also working part time at a local architectural practice as a 17 year old. They brought me on full time following completion of my design diploma, and I went on to work in Canada for another 6+ years. That time included sitting and passing the national qualification exam for interior designers and a range of commercial and hospitality projects.  

“In 2019, my husband and I made the big move to New Zealand. That last winter in Edmonton, when it snowed from October to April, really gave us the push we needed into the southern hemisphere. We chose Nelson as our landing point, with its proximity to national parks being a major draw. 

“I’ve been at JTB Architects since settling in Nelson in 2019, through the lockdowns and the growth of our interior design department, and came into the Associate role to lead our interiors team last year in 2024.” 

Do you have a favourite project you have worked on? 

“The one I’m designing now! I do always enjoy what’s in front of me, concept is often the phase I enjoy most as the world is wide open and there’s the opportunity to dream together. 

“I’ve particularly enjoyed our work on Flow House, a residence here in Nelson completed last year. It has all the ingredients; clients with a dream, a talented builder and a collaborative team. Our clients brought along a small collection of objects and artwork to the initial visioning meeting, which inspired the interior design. There was apainting with dream-like golden light, and the powder room features a bespoke golden toned paint colour that was colour matched to the painting. The kitchen lacquered cabinets are a custom match to a mint green and gold china pattern, with the gold is being referenced through the brass tapware. 

“Another rewarding project in a different project sector was our work with Tasman District Council and Coman Construction on TeNoninga Kumu | Motueka Public Library. It’s a delight to visit the library now to see how the town has adopted this building into their lives and stories, and to have had the opportunity for that community to enrich my own life as well in the process. That interior wove the narrative of the horticultural history of the area through the interiors, from colour palettes to carpet patterns.” 


Flow House, a recent project of Diana’s, features a custom blue colour in the kitchen,whichResenematched to the clients’ porcelain china. The walls and ceiling are painted inResene Quarter Linen. Design by JTB Architects, image by Barry Tobin.  

What interests you about architecture and design, and are there key values you follow when designing a new project? 

“Design for me has always been about the human experience, and interior design particularly as being about the interaction between a person and their environment.   

“This is demonstrated in valuing collaboration and relationships. The early design process prioritises listening, learning and building a relationship. The better we can understand the brief, and the client themselves, the better opportunity we have to create something together that will have lasting impact. This approach carries over into the construction side as well; a team with mutual respect will go much further and can produce something special.  

“I also value getting the layout right from as early as possible. Our routines will be directly impacted by the position of furniture, walls or dividers, and decisions that typically happen late in the process can be considered early on and allowed for. This is a key reason having interior design integrated into the architectural process early is a successful method, as architecture encompasses everything from building form to cabinet pulls. 

“When it comes to design aesthetic, I believe the material selections are endlessly important, as these are the items people will touch (and often breath) every day. I love natural materials that have texture: timber, linen, wool.” 


New Zealand Wine Centre, combining natural earthy shades of greens and rich timber tones. This project is painted in Resene Wan White throughout, with ceiling beams and feature walls in Resene Nocturnal.Design by JTB Architects, image by Colleen Tuncliff. 

Have you got anything exciting you’re working on right now?  

“Two projects come to mind; one is an exciting new office building which is working toward Green Star certification. We’ve been inspired by the surrounding estuary flora and will be referencing this through the materiality and application. You’ll have to stay tuned for that one!  

“Another is a treehouse bach with some standout clients that are taking the term “touching the earth lightly” literally. The home will be a testament to the trees it sits among, and there are some exciting artistic collaborations coming from that project. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the co-mingling of red beech, black beech, silver beech and tawa in one space.” 

Do you have any advice for graduates new to the industry?  

“This is your learning phase; you genuinely don’t need to know everything – and probably never will!I’d suggest giving many things a go and trying to upskill wherever possible as this will increase your value to the team.  

“The last piece of advice which has served me well personally, is a bit of old-fashioned loyalty. Relationships take time to build, and it’s beneficial to stay in a place long enough to learn how to function well as a team. Your team is your strength – and the team includes clients, consultants, workmates, builders, product reps, technical teams – we are all working together to create something that lasts.” 

What are your favourite Resene colours?

"Resene Double Ash and Resene Double Foundry."

Read more about JTB Architects or get in touch with Diana: diana@jtbarchitects.co.nz 

Feature image by Allen Carbon.

Published: 12 May 2025