Burj Khalifa, Dubai: the World’s Tallest Building

The world’s tallest building is Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Burj Khalifa, Dubai has a height of 828 meters (2,717 feet). This is the tallest man-made structure of the world. The construction of the magnificent and wonderful building Burj Khalifa took around 5 years. This architectural marvel was officially opened on 4 January, 2010. The architecture and engineering of this monumental structure was carried out by the international experts Skidmore, Owings and Merril of Chicago. The chief architect of Burj Khalifa was Adrian Smith.

The construction work of Burj Khalifa was done by the construction major Emaar Properties. Owing to the excellence of the construction parameters of Burj Khalifa, this epitome of architectural marvel won the 2010 Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa award by the Council on TallBuildings and Urban Habitat. The project cost of Burj Khalifa hovers around $1.5 billion.

When the World Trade Center was

The design of Burj Khalifa is unique in many respects.   This unique structure has an elaborate design and it designed to accommodate nine hotels such as The Address Downtown Dubai, the 12-hectare (30-acre) man-made BurjKhalifaLake, 30, 000 homes, 3 hectares (7.4 acres) of parking space, the Dubai Mall and 19 residential towers.

With Burj Khalifa, the Middle East has again become prominent in architecture.  The Middle East had been the location of the tallest structure for centuries in the past.  For nearly 4000 years, the Great Pyramid of Giza remained the tallest free-standing structure of the world.  The Lincoln Cathedral of England was constructed in 1311 and then it became the tallest free-standing structure.   It is constructed as part of the tourism promotion policy of the government in an otherwise oil-predominant economy.

(1)  Burj Khalifa:  the tallest man-made structure of the world.  It has a height of 828 m (2,717 ft) (Warsaw radio mast was previously the tallest structure – 646.38 m/2,121 ft)

(2)  The tallest extant structure of the world is Burj Khalifa: 828 m (2,717 ft) (This record was previously held by KVLY-TV mast – 628.8 m/2,063 ft)

(3)  The tallest skyscraper to top of spire is Burj Khalifa - 828 m (2,717 ft) (This record was previously held by Taipei 101 – 509.2 m/1,671 ft)

(4)  The tallest free-standing structure of the world is Burj Khalifa: 828 m (2,717 ft) (This record was previously held by CN Tower – 553.3 m/1,815 ft)

(5)  The elevators of Burj Khalifa are the world’s fastest.  They have a speed of 64 km/h (40 mph) or 18 m/s (59 ft/s).  This record was previously held by Taipei (101 – 16.83 m/s)

(6)  Another record of Burj Khalifa is that it has the world’s highest elevator installation.  This elevator installation is erected inside a rod at the very top of the structure.

(7)  The highest occupied floor in the world belongs to Burj Khalifa.  Its 160th floor is occupied. 

(8)  In the number of floors Burj Khalifa has the world record.  It has 160 floors.  Previously this record was held by WillisTower with 108 floors.

(9)  This stunner edifice has the highest outdoor observation deck in the world (124th floor) at 452 m (1,483 ft)

(10)  Another record of Burj Khalifa is that it is the first world’s tallest structure to include residential space.  

(11)  Another outstanding achievement of Burj Khalifa is that it has the highest vertical concrete pumping (for a building): 606 m (1,988 ft).  This record was previously held by Taipei: 101 – 449.2 m/1,474 ft.

(12)  The world’s highest mosque belongs to Burj Khalifa has the world’s highest mosque.  This mosque is located on the 158th floor.

(13)  The world’s higher swimming pool is located on the 76th floor of Burj Khalifa.

(14)  The world’s highest installation of an aluminum and glass façade is yet another attraction of Burj Khalifa.  This installation is at a height of 512 m (1,680 ft)

(15)  The world’s highest vertical concrete pumping (for any construction) is another attraction of Burj Khalifa: 606 m (1,988 ft).  This record was previously held by Riva del Garda Hydroelectric Power Plant (532 m/1,745 ft)

Burj Khalifa has a unique architecture.  It conforms to the Islamic architectural specialty.  The structure is Y-shaped.  This special design makes it a suitable structure for accommodation purposes.  There are residential units as well as hotel accommodation arrangements inside Burj Khalifa.  The wings of the Y-shaped building allow maximum outward views and at the same time it allows inward natural light.  This special design is in accordance with the shape of the desert flower Hymenocallis.  In order to support the excess height of Burj Khalifa, a special structural system called the buttressed core system has been introduced.   The special structural pattern has a hexagonal core reinforced by three buttresses that form the ‘Y’ shape.   This unique pattern protects the structure from twisting.

As part of the interior decoration of Burj Khalifa more than 1,000 pieces of art are arranged inside the building.  In the residential lobby of the building the work of Jaume Plensa is featured.  Burj Khalifa will feature 196 bronze and brass alloy cymbals.  These pieces will represent the 196 countries of the world.  The distinct timbre heard from this magnificent spot will be a beautiful experience for everyone.  The timbre will remind us of the peculiar sound of water falling on leaves.

Burj Khalifa attracts large crowds every time.  It has a capacity to hold up to 35,000 people at any given time.  To facilitate the easy passage of visitors, the structure has the facility of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.   Apart from these, the building has the access facility of 2,909 stairs.  These steps and others arrangements ensure the easy passage of visitors from the ground floor to the 160th floor of Burj Khalia.

For the visitors of Burj khalifa, the Dubai Fountain which adorns the magnificent structure will be a major attraction.  This fountain is arranged at a cost of Dh 800 million (US$217 million). The construction work of Fubai Fountain was accomplished the California-based company, WET Design.  The fountain work at the BellagioHotelLake in Las Vegas was also accomplished by this company.   The Observation Desk called ‘At the Top’ is equipped with the Behold Telescope and it has the distinction of being the highest outdoor observation deck in the world.  There is an elaborate park around the building and it is called the BurjKhalifaPark and has an extent of 11 ha (27 acres).   The park has unique features such as gardens, palm-lined walkways and flowering trees.