Inspire 2026 Faculty on Exploring the Built Environment — Real Estate, Design, and Construction Summer Course
"All you need is an interest in and a passion for building. This could be related to architecture, engineering or just a general love of building things. The course will help you explore all the professions and careers that touch the development of a complex building project." - Matt O'Malley
Exploring the Built Environment — Real Estate, Design, and Construction invites students to step into the world where creativity meets construction. This hands-on course explores how design, innovation, and teamwork come together to bring buildings to life. Below, meet Matt O’Malley, the instructor for this brand-new Inspire course for Summer 2026!
Meet Professor Matt O’Malley:
Q: Tell us about your journey into the Real Estate, Design, and Construction industry and how you developed your expertise in the field?
A: As a child, I loved to build things with Legos. In high school, I took classes in drafting and design which led me to study Architecture at the University of Virginia. While a career in architectural design was not for me, I have worked for the past 25 years in the commercial construction industry. I still love to build, and my work allows me to collaborate with architects, engineers, real estate developers, and other professionals to deliver exciting and complex projects all over the country.
One of my real passions is teaching. I have had the opportunity to teach in the Construction Management program at UVA, as well as Real Estate Development programs at Georgetown University and the University of Maryland over the past 15 years. A year ago, I published my first book The Business of Building, which covers the complete project delivery process and serves as a guide for professionals in all the fields involved in developing, designing, and constructing a building.
Q: What knowledge and skills can students expect to learn in Exploring the Built Environment — Real Estate, Design, and Construction this summer?
A: Students will better understand how buildings are planned, designed, and constructed. They will explore diverse career paths in real estate, architecture, engineering, and construction management by engaging with industry professionals and learning from their education and career experiences. Through a week-long project, they will strengthen teamwork, communication, and presentation skills in hands-on exercises in design, planning, estimating, and scheduling a building project.
Q: Do students need a background in construction, real estate, or design to be successful in this class?
A: No. All you need is an interest in and a passion for building. This could be related to architecture, engineering, or just a general love of building things. The course will help you explore all the professions and careers that touch the development of a complex building project.
Q: What advice do you have for students interested in taking your classes this summer?
A: Building and construction is a unique industry where we can see, touch, and occupy the results of our work: the completed space or the building. Think about great buildings that you have visited or experienced. How many people were involved in its design and construction? What roles did they all play? What role would you like to play? Come into the class with an open mind and you will be exposed to countless pathways you could take in this industry.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about Inspire this summer?
A: I love teaching. I have been fortunate enough to teach and advise countless undergraduate and graduate students throughout the years. Often, I find that many university students didn’t have the right information in high school to make informed decisions about their major or area of study. I hope that the course will help students better understand the options that are available in this exciting field and make informed decisions about their future education and career paths.