Robin trained as an architect at the University of Auckland in the early 1980s, and ran her own sustainable architecture practice for a number of years before founding Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood in 1995.
Earthsong was founded on a deep commitment to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable neighbourhood by growing a strong culture of respect, participation and cooperation, and incorporating the principles of cohousing, eco-architecture and permaculture. With her background in architecture, Robin guided the entire development and construction phase of this innovative project, from developing the vision and group agreements around consensus decision-making, group process and design, to managing contracts, budgets and detailed oversight of the construction.
In 2008 she travelled to the US, UK, Germany and Denmark on a Winston Churchill Fellowship to study sustainable community and town centre regeneration projects. Read her Churchill research report 2009.05.20 and blog.
Robin is a co-founder of YIMFY: Yes In My Front Yard!, a charitable trust with the vision of developing a Centre for Appropriate Building Technology in New Zealand, that supports and promotes the use of environmentally restorative building materials and systems. She is also a director of Walk to Work Eco-Developments Ltd, working to develop eco-commercial premises on the road frontage of Earthsong.
Robin now runs seminars and workshops, writes, consults, and supports other community projects around New Zealand.
Download Robin’s CV: Robin Allison CV 2020