Jose George on Interior Design and Adaptive Reuse, from Berlin to Malta

Jose George is an interior designer at AP Valletta in Malta, where he works on historic buildings and contemporary interiors. In 2023, he completed his MA Interior Design at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences, now Whitecliffe University of Applied Sciences. 

After earning his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Calicut in India in 2018, Jose gained professional experience in Kerala. He became particularly interested in how materials, local building traditions and spatial layouts shape the way people experience interiors. That interest led him to pursue a master’s degree in Berlin. 

How a seminar in Berlin sparked an interest in adaptive reuse

Jose chose the MA for its international environment and the opportunity to learn from different approaches to design. A seminar led by interior design researcher Bie Plevoets introduced him to adaptive reuse, the practice of giving an existing building a new purpose while retaining elements of its character. 

In his master’s thesis, Interior from Fragments, Jose explored how salvaged architectural fragments could be used in contemporary interiors. For him, those materials carry traces of the people who made them and the places they came from. His graduation project was later featured in Theorising Interior Architecture and Design, edited by his thesis mentor, Prof. Dr. Carola Ebert.

Working with historic buildings in Malta

After four years in Germany, Jose moved to Malta in early 2026, drawn by its historic architecture and opportunities to work on heritage and hospitality projects. 

At AP Valletta, he works alongside architects and other specialists to adapt historic buildings for contemporary use. The approach he developed during his MA still informs his work. He looks at a building’s history and character to understand what to preserve and how the space could serve a new purpose.

Jose’s advice for future interior design students

Studying in Berlin gave Jose the chance to exchange ideas with classmates from different cultures and discover new ways of approaching design. His advice is to stay curious, enjoy the creative process and make the most of what happens beyond the studio, from exhibitions and excursions to conversations with professors. 

Study MA Interior Design in Berlin

Whitecliffe University Berlin’s two-year, English-taught MA Interior Design is designed for graduates of architecture and related design disciplines. Through studio projects and research seminars, students build on their design background and explore how people use and experience interior spaces. 

Explore the MA Interior Design program and admissions requirements.