The city of New York can be surprisingly conservative when it comes to building new skyscrapers. Most buildings here are constructed from masonry or steel, despite the fact that NYC has long been a leader in innovative design. That could be changing, however, as the city has recently approved the construction of buildings using mass timber, a sustainable and carbon-sensitive material that has been increasingly used for large-scale residential and commercial projects around the world.

The New York City Council passed the new rules as part of a major update to the city’s Construction Codes, which allow for structures made of cross-laminated timber CLT and other engineered wood products up to 85 feet tall in the city. The move is the first time that CLT has been allowed in the city and puts the city in line with many cities around the country and the world, which are already embracing timber construction for high-rises.

Known as heavy timber framing, this type of building is based on the use of large-span wood panels that are joined by joinery to create exceptional strength and stability. The result is a building that is light and beautiful, as well as highly energy efficient. It’s also very quick to build, since the panels can be fabricated in a factory and then erected on site.

In the US, architects have been using mass timber for buildings for years. Historically, these structures have been built for industrial uses, such as warehouses, but are now also seen in schools, churches and even luxury residences. In New York, there are several examples of the architecturally stunning structures, including SHoP Architects’ 10-story office building near the High Line and the Brooklyn Home Company’s Timber House condominium complex in Williamsburg. The newest addition to the list of timber buildings near me is the Baker’s Place development in Madison, Wisconsin, which features 206 units that were built with CLT.

The advantage of timber is that it is a much lighter material than concrete and steel, which reduces the amount of structural work needed to support the building. This in turn saves money on foundation costs and helps to reduce the overall carbon footprint of a project. Moreover, the structural system of wood is more flexible than other materials, making it easier to adapt to changes in load bearing capacity and lateral loads during construction.

A key consideration when it comes to timber construction is fire safety. While a traditional masonry structure might require a six-hour fire rating, mass timber can easily meet and exceed the requirements for the most stringent building codes. This is because the wood burns in a predictable manner, forming a char zone that protects the interior and prevents structural failure.

The use of mass timber for building structures is an example of the trend towards biophilic design, which seeks to connect people with nature and natural materials. The bold expressiveness of timber can play a role in this by encouraging people to interact with and feel at home in a natural environment.