Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa (previously known as Burj Dubai prior to inauguration) is a megatall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the world's tallest structure, standing at 829.8 meters, which is about half a mile high. Since it was completed in 2009, it has been the tallest building in the world, even taller than Taipei 101.

Construction began in 2004 and took five years to finish the exterior. The building is made mostly of reinforced concrete, with some structural steel that came from a building in Berlin. It opened in 2010 in an area called Downtown Dubai, meant to be the center of a big, mixed-use development.

The building is named after Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former president of the United Arab Emirates. During a difficult time for the developer, Emaar Properties, the government provided financial support, and the building’s name was changed to honor this support. The design of the Burj Khalifa is inspired by the Islamic architecture of the region, like the Great Mosque of Samarra, and it includes special features to handle Dubai’s hot weather. Inside, there are 57 elevators and 8 escalators to help people move around easily.

Development

Construction of the Burj Khalifa began on January 12, 2004, and the exterior was completed on October 1, 2009. The building officially opened its doors on January 4, 2010. It is located in the 2 km² Downtown Dubai area near Sheikh Zayed Road.

The tower was designed by the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with Adrian Smith as the chief architect and Bill Baker as a chief structural engineer. They had previously designed the Sears Tower in Chicago. The primary contractor was Samsung C&T from South Korea, working with BESIX from Belgium and the local company Arabtec.

Conception

Burj Khalifa was designed to be the centerpiece of a large development with many homes, hotels, parks, and skyscrapers, including the Dubai Mall. The decision to build it came as Dubai wanted to grow beyond its oil-based economy and attract more visitors and investment.

The tower was originally called Burj Dubai until it was officially opened in January 2010, when it was renamed in honor of the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Despite challenges from the 2008 financial crisis, the project continued and became an important symbol for Dubai.

Records

The Burj Khalifa has set many amazing world records. It is the tallest existing structure in the world, measuring 829.8 meters (2,722 feet). It is also the tallest skyscraper, with its spire reaching 828 meters (2,717 feet), and it has the most floors of any building in the world, with 163 floors.

Some of its other records include having the world's highest elevator, the longest travel distance for elevators, and the highest restaurant located on the 122nd floor at 442 meters (1,450 feet). The building also holds records for the highest vertical concrete pumping, the highest aluminium and glass façade, and it hosts the world's largest light and sound show.

Architecture and design

The tower was designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM), which also designed the Willis Tower in Chicago and the One World Trade Center in New York City. Burj Khalifa uses a special design called the bundled tube, which saves steel and makes the building stronger. This design was inspired by earlier famous buildings and ideas.

The tower’s shape is influenced by Islamic architecture, with a spiral pattern that helps reduce wind effects. At the top, the building features a tall spire made of steel, which adds to its height but offers little usable space. Inside, the building includes many homes, offices, and special areas like hotels and observation decks. It also has very fast elevators and a complex system to manage water and air conditioning.

Features

Fountain

Main article: The Dubai Fountain

Outside the Burj Khalifa, WET Enterprises created a large fountain system. It shoots water high into the air and is lit up with many colorful lights. The fountain plays music and is the largest of its kind in the world. It was named the Dubai Fountain after a contest.

Observation deck

Main article: At the Top (Burj Khalifa)

The Burj Khalifa has an observation deck on the 124th floor, where visitors can look out over the city. Later, an even higher observation area opened on the 148th floor, before another building took the record. The Burj Khalifa later opened a new, even higher lounge that became the tallest in the world. The deck also has a special device that lets visitors see different views of the area.

Park

Main article: Burj Park

The Burj Khalifa is surrounded by a beautiful park. The park’s design is inspired by a desert flower called the Hymenocallis. There are pools, fountains, and benches, and the plants get water from the building’s cooling system.

Floor plan

The Burj Khalifa has many floors packed into its tall structure. Each floor serves different purposes, from offices to special rooms, making it a busy place full of activity. The building’s design allows it to reach amazing heights while still being comfortable and safe for people inside.

Ramadan observance

On the higher floors of the Burj Khalifa, the sun can be seen for a few minutes after it has set at ground level. People living above the 80th floor wait two extra minutes to break their Ramadan fast, and those above the 150th floor wait three extra minutes. This allows everyone to enjoy the tradition based on where they live in the building.

Construction

The Burj Khalifa was built by a team from Samsung C&T in South Korea, working together with companies from Belgium and the UAE. They used strong concrete and steel to create the tower’s structure. Special pumps were made to pour concrete high up in the building, and careful planning went into making sure the concrete stayed strong even in very hot weather.

Important moments during building include starting excavation in January 2004, reaching higher floors over the years, and finally completing the tower in 2010. It became the tallest building in the world when it was finished.

Controversies

The construction of the Burj Khalifa raised concerns about worker treatment. Many of the workers came from South Asia and East Asia, as local UAE citizens often preferred government jobs. Reports described poor living conditions and low wages for these workers.

There were also serious incidents involving people falling from very high floors of the building. These events highlighted the need for careful safety measures at such tall structures.

Main articles: Human rights in the United Arab Emirates

New Year's Eve

Emaar New Year's Eve is a special celebration held every year on December 31st at the Burj Khalifa, organized by Emaar Properties. The event includes exciting fireworks, colorful lights and lasers on the building, and a beautiful fountain show at The Dubai Fountain that matches the music.

This tradition started in 2010 when the Burj Khalifa opened as the world's tallest building. The show is watched by millions of people around the world. Over the years, it has earned two Guinness World Records, including for having the "Largest LED-Illuminated Facade" in 2015 and 2019.

BASE jumping

The Burj Khalifa has been used for some very high BASE jumps. In January 2010, two men from the Emirates Aviation Society jumped from a platform attached to the 160th floor, breaking the world record for the highest BASE jump from a building. Later, in April 2014, two experienced French BASE jumpers jumped from the very top of the building, breaking another world record. These jumps were done with permission from the authorities.

Climbing

On March 28, 2011, Alain "Spiderman" Robert climbed the outside of the Burj Khalifa. He reached the top of the spire in six hours. Because of safety laws in the United Arab Emirates, he used a rope and harness for this climb.

Awards

In June 2010, Burj Khalifa received the "Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa" award from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Later that year, on September 28, it won the award for the best project of the year at the Middle East Architect Awards 2010. Awards Chair Gordon Gill praised the building for changing architectural possibilities and called it an international icon even before its completion. Burj Khalifa has received several other awards for its design and construction.