Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE

March 2013

The tallest building in the world!

Key Facts

• Tallest man-made structure in the world!

• Nearly 1 km high• Construction took 5 years

(2004 – 2009) • It cost $1.5Bio to build• It was built to attract

international attention to the Middle East

• 160 floors• Includes hotel – 39 floors• Also 900 residential

apartments

Architectural Features & Design

• This design is based on patterns in Islamic architecture

• Triple lobed base was inspired by the flower Hymenocallis

• As the tower rises it gets narrower

• Hexagonal and Y-shapes form the structure of the core which support the height of the building

• The company who designed it also designed the Willis (Sear) Tower in Chicago

Design Inspiration

Glass!

• Over 26’000 glass panels were used on the exterior of the building.

• 142’000m2 of reflective glass covering

• This was designed to protect the building from summer temperatures

• Each window also includes special radiation protection from the sun

Challenges during building

• It was a massive project to coordinate with over 12’000 workers on site daily of 100 nationalities

• They had to test the effects of wind on the flower shaped design

• They had to protect the building from the sun and very high summer temperatures

• They had to pump concrete up to 600mtrs high to enable them build new floors

World Records & Fun Facts

• Burj Khalifa construction holds 18 world records including:

• World’s highest elevator installation

• World’s fastest elevators: 64 km/hr• World’s highest mosque• World’s highest installation of aluminium and

glass

• It is so tall that the sun appears to set a few minutes later on the top floors!

Why I like this building?

• It is amazing to see what can be built• I love Dubai and have visited the Burj Khalifa• I saw the progress of the building being built• My parents have an office close by• I know the person who manages the World’s

Highest Restaurant - Atmosphere on the 122nd floor

Quiz…..

• What invention led to skyscrapers being built?

• Why was the Burj Khalifa renamed from Burj Dubai on the opening day?

• Which movie was recently filmed there?

• How do they clean the windows?

Sources

• www.burjkhalifa.ae

• http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-7265-top-10-burj-dubai-facts/

• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Burj_Dubai_Under_Construction_on_8_May_2008_Pict_2.jpg

• Kristina Ruedin – I visited it