Our story
METIO was founded by Humberto Marum, a Portuguese architect with deep experience working with under-served communities, in Portugal, East Timor, Laos and Australia. Over the years, Marum witnessed the same problem again and again: communities with strong ideas and committed leaders but lacking the infrastructure, or the resources, to thrive.
He started METIO in 2020 to change that.
METIO exists to bridge the gap — helping communities plan, fund, and deliver the buildings they want. We focus on practical, resilient, culturally grounded, and community-led solutions that make a lasting impact.
Since launching, METIO has grown into a dedicated multidisciplinary team supported by trusted partners who share our values. Together, we work for a world where every community has the right spaces to thrive.
Our vision
A world of well-built communities
METIO’s vision carries profound duality. We believe that well-built infrastructure creates the foundation for stronger communities, and that strong communities shape what gets built and how.
Our values
People – We place people at the centre of our work, valuing equality, community and culture.
Professionalism – We believe all communities are entitled to high quality and affordable services delivered with respect and integrity.
Planet – We take a sustainable approach to construction, promoting local resources, climate resilience and energy efficiency. We believe building designs should be inspired by and integrated with their environment.
Social enterprise
Metio is certified by Social Traders as a for-purpose social enterprise.
That means we’re a business that trades to tackle social problems, improve communities, provide people access to employment and training, or help the environment. A social enterprise:
has a defined primary social purpose, environmental or other public benefit
derives a substantial portion of its income from trade
reinvests part of annual profits towards achieving the social purpose
Our team
METIO has a dedicated team with expertise in architecture, project management and community development. The people below form the core of our operations, but one strength of METIO is our adaptability. Each project has unique requirements, so we draw on external advisors as needed. Over the years, we have cultivated a trusted pool of consultants, each excelling in their respective domains.
We tap knowledge wherever it is
Humberto Marum
As founder and director of METIO, Marum brings passion and a wealth of architectural, project management and community development experience in Australia and overseas to all his projects. Marum works to bring together community organisations, funders and like-minded professionals to design and deliver innovative projects in challenging contexts.
Clifton Girgirba
Clifton is METIO’s cultural advisor. He’s a proud Martu man, with deep cultural knowledge, language skills, and leadership experience. Having grown up and studied in Martu communities, Clifton brings valuable insights and strong community relationships to METIO. His contributions ensure that all projects are delivered in a culturally respectful and responsive manner.
Duncan Hall
Duncan’s area is design and construction. A registered architect with a strong track record of award-winning designs, his recent focus has been cost-effective, energy-efficient, and space-effective housing. Duncan has extensive experience across various project types and has made significant contributions to community housing in Timor-Leste, where he delivered large-scale construction training as National Construction Training Manager.
Catherine Styles
Cath is METIO’s communications and engagement generalist, with 20 years’ experience in print and digital communications, governance and advocacy, including 2 years working with Aboriginal corporations in the Northern Territory. With a PhD in cultural studies, and professional training in writing and editing, Cath excels in crafting compelling proposals and winning grant applications.
