Burj Khalifa

From Mw

Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world.
Information
Location	Dubai
Status	Under Construction
Groundbreaking	21st September 2004 (6th Shaban 1425)
Est. Completion	December, 2009
Opening	January 4, 2010[1]
Height
Antenna/Spire	808 m (2,651 ft) [1]
Roof	643.3 m (2,111 ft)
Top floor	624.1 m (2,048 ft) (estimate)
Technical Details
Floor count	168[1]
Floor area	344,000 sq. m 3.7 million sq. ft.
Companies
Architect	SOM
Contractor	Samsung Constructions / BESIX / Arabtec
Developer	Emaar

The Burj Khalifa, previously known as Burj Dubai, (Arabic: برج خليفة, "Khalifa Tower") is the tallest tower in the world, spanning 168 stories and 2,684 feet high.^[1] Construction started on 15^th April 2005 (6^th Rabbi al-Awwal 1426), in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at 25°11′58.34″N, 55°16′20.66″E. It opened to the public on 4^th January 2010 (18^th Muharram 1431). The lead architect is Adrian Smith of the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The final height including spires, was not initially declared so that competing skyscrapers would not know of its height.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Height Controversy

The speculation as to the final height of the Burj Dubai has ranged from 808 meters to over 1000m or even twice the height of the current tallest tower the tapai 101 building. For example a recent article by building subcontractor Persian Gulf Extrusions and dated September 20, 2006, stated that the final height would reach "over 940 metres" or at least 3084 feet.^[2]

[edit] Construction

Construction started in 2004 (Shawwal 1424), and is expected to be completed by the end of 2009 CE (1430 AH).

[edit] Construction Companies

• The award for doors and various fittings has been awarded to Dorma to the value of $6.5 million

[edit] Comparison with Other Skyscrapers

Burj Dubai in comparison with other skyscrapers that are being built around the world

At their convention in Chicago, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) defined four categories in which the world's tallest building can be measured:

1. Height to the structural or architectural top (including spires and pinnacles, but not antennas, masts or flagpoles)
2. Height to the highest occupied floor
3. Height to the top of the roof
4. Height to the top of antenna

In addition the current height of the worlds tallest structure is the CN Tower in Toronto Canada.

Upon completion the Burj Dubai in Dubai is expected to be the tallest building in all categories, as well as the tallest free standing structure knocking the CN Tower of the spot it has held since 1976 CE (1395 AH)

[edit] The Design

The design for Burj Dubai was selected as the winning entry of an invited design competition for the tower held by Emaar in early 2003 CE (1423 AH)

The tower is composed of three elements arranged around a central core. As the tower rises from the flat desert base, setbacks occur at each element in an upward spiraling pattern, decreasing the mass of the tower as it reaches toward the sky. At the top, the central core emerges and is sculpted to form a finishing spire. A Y-shaped floor plan maximizes views of the Persian Gulf.[3]

[edit] See also

Dubai Megaprojects

[edit] References

• http://www.burjdubai.com
• Skidmore, owings & Merrill LLP

[edit] External Links

• Burj Dubai Offical Website