The aARTvark Collective

Born in NZ 1998

Honed throughout Africa

established in Oxfordshire 2018

The aArtvark Collective was founded by Master Craftsman Cobus Swart in 2018, and is becoming one of the most respected  building and carpentry companies in Oxfordshire, and West Berkshire.

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Formally trained as a carpenter in both residential and commercial builds, Swart completed his degree at Northteck College in Whangarei, New Zealand. After university, Swart furthered his education in Whangarei with apprenticeships for Kerr Construction and Concrete Homes. During his years with Kerr, Swart gained invaluable experience in all facets of building and civil engineering from some of the country’s most experienced engineers, surveyors, construction managers and foreman.

Next in his career Swart ventured into the emerging field of environmental sustainability at the then start-up company Concrete Homes. It is here where he developed his passion for simplifying the building process, building smaller footprint high quality homes and minimising the impacts of builds on the environment.

As a Civil Supervisor for Ryman Construction, Swart spent the next few years managing teams to coordinate public works for large scale ….. (builds?) Together they successfully built entire villages that are now thriving communities with proper storm drainage, civil and work roads, in ground and external infrastructure and beautiful landscaping.

Returning to his home country of South Africa, Swart took on a Site Manager position at E4 Construction. The builds he oversaw in Mozambique were both some of his most challenging and rewarding work. Under harsh weather conditions, Swart led teams of 12 to 200 professionals in building luxury timber lodges. The attention to detail of these structures are works of art as well as testaments to Swart’s aesthetic as an artist.

Among Swart’s proudest achievements from his years in Africa is his signature work on the construction of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Centre in Gorongosa National Park.

Since settling in Oxford with his young family and establishing The aArtvark Collective, Swart quickly set up shop, and also, when scheduling permits, Swart takes trips to Greece to create outdoor vacation rentals on the island of Skiathos.