Built prototypes
Six named buildings test pallet timber across different uses and scales.
Website proposal · July 2026
Launch the Timber Institute.
A public platform for pallet timber research, innovation and built applications.
Prepared by Akoma for Muneer
Qurtuba Precinct, Johannesburg
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The opportunity
This is bigger than a building archive.
It is the foundation of an institute.
Offices, a restaurant, a musallah, a design studio and glamping units already demonstrate different applications of reclaimed pallet timber.
Qurtuba is the founding address. The Timber Institute is the public proposition.
The material story
Pallets became parts.
Parts became place.
Discarded pallets were deconstructed into stringers and blocks.
Those components became stacked walls, infill, cladding and detailed block arrangements.
The foundation
The Institute begins with evidence.
Photography
A deep library of professional project images, ready to be curated.
Book and renders
Written material by Arifa, photographs by Azraa and architectural renders by Zackiye.
Academic context
Yusuf Patel is a professional architect and PhD researcher at Newcastle University.
The proposition
One institute. A clear specialism.
Lead with pallet timber innovation.
Position the Timber Institute around the exploration, testing and creative application of reclaimed pallet timber.
Prove the proposition through built work.
Use Qurtuba's buildings as the first prototype library, showing how pallets have been applied across real projects.
The website
Structured like an innovation platform.
The built work supports the story. It does not define the whole site.
Home
The Institute's purpose, specialism and invitation to explore.
The Institute
Why pallet timber
Prototype library
Applications
Research and collaboration
The content
From source material to a working knowledge platform.
Akoma will use the existing archive to explain the material system, organise the prototypes and make the Institute's purpose clear.
01Explain pallet components and applications
02Organise six buildings as prototype studies
03Integrate existing photographs, renders and plans
04Frame premium, community and affordable contexts as areas for exploration
The programme
Live before the summit.
Target launch: 4 September. Contract deadline: 8 September 2026.
- 27 Jul-7 Aug
Align and design
Technical meeting, site structure, copy direction and key-page design.
Gate 1 - 10-21 Aug
Build and integrate
Development, prototype content and existing media integration.
Gate 2 - 24-28 Aug
Review and test
Staging review, consolidated feedback and quality assurance.
Gate 3 - 31 Aug-4 Sep
Launch
Final revisions, domain connection, handover and release.
Gate 4
The investment
R50,000
Fixed ceiling · Excluding VAT · No additional production budget
On appointmentR25,000
Deposit to begin the work.
On launchR25,000
Final payment after sign-off.
Included in Phase 1
Everything needed for the Institute's first public release.
Institute-led responsive website
Six prototype studies
Pallet timber system and applications pages
Website visual identity
Content curation and web copy
Basic search setup and image alt text
Content management system
Hosting and domain setup on your accounts
Research and collaboration section
Two design revision rounds
One final minor revision round
Saleh technical alignment meeting
Account ownership, walkthrough and handover pack
Clear boundaries
What sits outside this fee.
New photography, video or other content production
New architectural drawings or renders
Book design or production
A full identity package beyond the website
Ongoing updates after launch
E-commerce, booking or payments
Extra pages or multilingual content
What we need from you
One clear route to decisions.
01Pre-appointment technical meeting with Saleh
02One point of contact
03Complete existing source material at kick-off
04Consolidated feedback within two business days at each gate
05Written sign-off before launch
The 8 September deadline depends on prompt access, decisions and consolidated feedback.What the platform can enable
Launch the Institute now. Build its programme from evidence.
The website creates the public foundation. These programmes remain outside the R50,000 website scope.
Academic partnerships
Corporate social investment and grants
Housing-focused pilot projects
Events, workshops and expanded content
The next step
Let's launch the Timber Institute.
Confirm the go-ahead and we will meet Saleh, lock the scope and begin work towards the 4 September target launch.
Zubair
On behalf of Akoma
R50,000 excl. VAT