NY‑NLT: A New York State Mass Timber Structural Panel Building System

"NY‑NLT: A New York State Mass Timber Structural Panel Building System
By Meta Brunzema

Pratt’s Decarbonization Group is developing NY‑NLT, a new nail‑laminated mass‑timber structural panel system for multifamily, office, and institutional buildings. Made from New York State–grown Eastern white or red pine, NY‑NLT provides a regionally sourced, low‑carbon alternative to steel and concrete, materials responsible for about 11% of global energy‑related CO₂ emissions.

At scale, NY‑NLT can deliver major climate benefits. Its low-embodied-carbon, carbon‑storage capacity, and thermal performance position it as a transformative material for New York City, where construction accounts for roughly 70% of total GHG emissions.

Our forest‑to‑building research links mass‑timber construction to regenerative forest stewardship, strengthening regional supply chains, supporting rural and urban economies, and creating high‑quality green jobs across New York State.

What Is Nail‑Laminated Timber (NLT)?

NLT is a “low‑tech,” adaptable mass‑timber structural system made by placing dimensional lumber, typically 2×6 or 2×8 boards, edge‑to‑edge and fastening them with metal or timber nails. NY-NLT can be fabricated in large or small shops or directly on‑site.

NY‑NLT offers design versatility. Panels can be flat or curved, with smooth or textured finishes that highlight natural wood color and grain in structural and finish applications. NLT can also combine new and reclaimed lumber, supporting circular, low‑waste construction.

Fig. 1 – NLT assembly (Image: Pratt + Waugh Thistleton Architects)

Recent NLT Projects in the U.S. and Canada

Fig. 2 – 475 High Performance Building Supply, Brooklyn, NY, with NLT timber ceiling panels. (Photo: Nicholas Venezia)
Fig. 3 – Fitness & Wellness Center, Princeton University, with an NLT roof system by SilvaSpan. (Photo: SilvaSpan)
Fig. 4 – Kendeda Building, Georgia Tech, with NLT ceiling panels combining graded timber with reclaimed 2×4s. (Photo: Miller Hull Partnership)
Fig. 5 – Samuel Brighouse Elementary School, Richmond, B.C. Curved NLT roof demonstrates geometric adaptability. (Photo: Stephan Pasche)"

The image shows a wooden structure under construction, viewed from below. The ceiling features large, open rectangular spaces, and the framework consists of cross-beams with a natural wood finish. Above, the sky is blue with a few scattered clouds. In the foreground, a construction lift is visible as part of the building process.