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Inspired by the Spider Lily
The Burj Khalifa's design embodies the lyrical and well-proportioned structure of the Hymenocallisor SpiderLily, a regional desert flower that inspired architect Adrian Smith's vision of the iconic tower.
Armani Residences
The 144 Armani Residences Dubai are located on levels 9 to 16, and each apartment has bespokefinishes andmade-to-measure furniture and fittings. The intention was to create 'a warm, harmonious andluxurious spacecombined with elegant design - each element playing a precise role in the overall effect andbalance'.
Step up
Burj Khalifa's stairwell has a total of 2,909 steps leading up to the 160th floor. Ladders are used to climb any higher.
A Scent Apart
The common areas of Burj Khalifa all have a bespoke fragrance that was selected from among 18aromas. Thefragrance with the materials in each space for a subtly different experience.
At the Top Height
Height of At the Top, Burj Khalifa is equivalent to being on the tip of the Petronas Towers inMalaysia.
Water Supply
Burj Khalifa's water system supplies an average of 946,000 litres of water a day. Given the heightof the tower, water storage tanks are installed in the main mechanical plant room floors, which arelocated every 30 floors.
100,000 Elephants
If weighed, the total amount of concreteused in the construction of Burj Khalifawould equal the approximate weight of100,000 elephants.
Behind the Scenes
All the equipment essential for the operation of Burj Khalifa are housed in sevendouble-storey-height mechanical floors. Located every 30 floors, they accommodate the electricalsub-stations, water tanks and pumps, and air-handling units.
A Strong Foundation
Burj Khalifa's superstructure is supported by a 3.7 metres thick reinforced concrete mat. It took12,500 cubic metres of high-density, low-permeability concrete to build the mat. A cathodicprotection system under the mat helps to mitigate the effects of corrosive chemicals in the groundwater.
Global Collaboration
The wonder of Burj Khalifa was made possible by the collaboration of more than 30 on-sitecontracting companies from around the world – a fact that is embodied in 'World Voices', an artinstallation in the lobby of The Residence.
Green Irrigiation
With an eye to environmental friendliness, the gardens of Burj Khalifa are partly irrigated withwater collected through the tower's Condensate Collection System, which collects condensation fromthe tower's air-conditioning systems as well as its surrounding humid atmosphere.
World's Fastest Double Deck Elevators
The elevators that takes visitors to the observation decks of Burj Khalifa at a speed of 10 m/s hasa unique utility. It has a lower deck to transport corporate visitors and those visitingAt.mosphere, the world's highest restaurant.
Celebrating Expo 2020
To celebrate the winning of Dubai's bid to host Expo 2020, The Crown Prince of Dubai, His HighnessSheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, hoisted the UAE national flag from the tip of BurjKhalifa
Anchoring the Community
Burj Khalifa serves as an anchor to the Downtown Dubai community. A multicultural area, DowntownDubai brings the best of the Arab and Western worlds together, offering something for everyone.
A Key Point
There are approximately 4,500 'back-of-house' keys that make up Burj Khalifa's mater-key system,allow security to manage access across the tower.
A Flash of Light(ning)
Rising to more than 800 metres, Burj Khalifa regularly harnesses the forces of nature to stage alightning show, making it one of the most conspicuous lightning conductors in the world.
A Beacon of Light
To prevent aircraft collisions, Burj Khalifa is equipped with high-intensity xenon white obstructionlights that flash 40 times per minute. The flash intensity of the lights changes through the day:
Global Icon
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) bestowed the 'Global Icon' award on BurjKhalifa in 2010. It is intended that the award will only be conferred on an occasional basis, whenmerited by an exceptional project – perhaps every 10 or 15 years.
Curtain Call
Burj Khalifa's curtain wall is the equivalent of 17 soccer fields or 25 American football fields.
A Story of Concrete
The highest reinforced concrete core walls in Burj Khalifa were pumped at 80 MPa to a height of 601metres in November 2007.
Degrees of Difference
The ambient temperature at the tip of Burj Khalifa is six degrees cooler than the temperature atground level.
Tower of Steel
The total weight of aluminium used in the building of Burj Khalifa is equivalent to that of fiveA380 aircraft and the total length of stainless steel bullnose fins is 293 times the height of theEiffel Tower.
Cool as Ice
During peak cooling hours, Burj Khalifa requires about 10,000 tons of cooling, equivalent to thecooling capacity of approximately 10,000 tons of melting ice.
Elevators & Escalators
Burj Khalifa has a total of 57 elevators and eight escalators. Among them are the world's tallestservice elevator, which has a capacity of 5.500 kg and the Observatory elevators, which are doubledeck cabs that travel at 10 m/s.
Quantity of Concrete
If you were to take all the concrete used in Burj Khalifa and lay a sidewalk, it would be 2,065kilometres (1,283 miles) long.
Burj Khalifa / Eiffel Tower
Height of the tower from Level 124 to the spire more than the height of Eiffel Tower.
Casting Call
A jump form system was used to cast Burj Khalifa's concrete structure. At peak efficiency, it wasable to cast a storey every three days.
Stepping Stones
At least 45 different types of stone were used in construction of Burj Khalifa.
Burj Khalifa's Motif
The illustration below shows how pattern of the tower is built upon the repetition of a single basicgeometrical motif that is reminiscent of Islamic art and architecture.
Flying High
Flight paths in and out of Dubai have had to be changed at various height milestones sinceconstruction commenced on Burj Khalifa. Flights coming into DXB have to change the Pingo holdingpattern altitude since Burj Khalifa reached 790 m in height.
Dedicated Concrete Plant
Downtown Dubai was being constructed in tandem with Burj Khalifa, making the scale of work so largethat a dedicated concrete plant was installed on-site to ensure adequate supply of concrete at everystage.
Inaugrating the Burj Khalifa
On 4 January 2010 the eyes of the world turned to Burj Khalifa as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed BinRashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai inaugurated the world'stallest tower. A spectacular light and sound show followed and was broadcast around the world.
Stay with Armani
Armani Hotel Dubai and Armani Residences Dubai were designed and developed by Giorgio Armanihimself, offering a unique and bespoke service, embodying the 'Stay with Armani' philosophy.
Designing At.mosphere
The interiors of At.mosphere were designed by New York-based Adam Tihany. The restaurant's threedistinct parts occupy the entire floor, providing panoramic views of Dubai and the desert and seabeyond.
Six-sided Core
Burj Khalifa is built around a hexagonal core that rises up through the building and houses most ofthe tower's 57 elevators, the tallest of which travels to 504 meters, setting a world record.
Cooling Heights
During the hot summer months or in the cool winters, the temperature at the top of Burj Khalifa issix degrees cooler than at ground level.
3-Day Milestones
After a year spent completing groundwork, the first 100 levels of Burj Khalifa were completed in1,093 days. That's one storey every three days!
A 'Mashrabiya' At The Top
The ceiling of the 125th floor of Burj Khalifa features a sprawling 'mashrabiya' – intricatelycarved latticework – across it as a tribute to Arabian arts and culture.
Google at Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa's public spaces can be seen clearly on Google Street View. Google used the Trekker, a40-pound, backpack-sized camera to capture views from the tower's upper floors and parts of theinterior.
Habitable Storeys
Burj Khalifa holds the world record for the highest habitable floor at 160 storeys.
Strong Foundations
Burj Khalifa's foundation is made up of 125 piles that are 1.5 metres in diameter and 50 meters inlength, comprising 45,000 cubic metres of concrete, reinforced with steel.
Security Measures
Burj Khalifa is the first "megatall" building that has elevators that are programmed for controlledevacuation in case of fire or security events.
Mixed-Utility Tower
Burj Khalifa, which features a total built-up area of 5.67 million sq ft, is the world's first trulymixed utility tower.
Opening Doors
There are more than 17,000 doors in Burj Khalifa.
Designer Hotel
World-renowned designer Giorgio Armani personally designed the interiors of Armani Hotel Dubai.
Dine in the Sky
Situated on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa, At.mosphere is the world's highest lounge bar, offeringa unique epicurean experience with a side order of stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai'sskyline.
Three-Petal Motif
The three-petal motif used across the interiors of Burj Khalifa reflects the tower's three-petalfootprint.
A Great Distance
The At the Top, Burj Khalifa observation decks are popular tourist attractions. By the end of 2014,the distance travelled by the observation deck elevators was equivalent to circumnavigating theglobe 8 times.
Fine Dining
Armani Hotel Dubai's six exclusive fine dining restaurants feature delectable cuisines from aroundthe world.
Tracking The Wind
The doors in Burj Khalifa have been built with a unique and smart wind-tracking device thatindicates whether or not wind conditions are safe to open them.
A World Tribute
Burj Khalifa is a symbol of the aesthetic union of may cultures around the world. According toEmaar's chairman Mr. Mohamed Alabbar, it is the Arab world's tribute to the art and science ofmodern engineering.
Stepping Stones
At least 45 different types of stone were used in construction of Burj Khalifa.
Partnering With Dubai Cares
In 2013, Burj Khalifa joined hands with Dubai Cares to raise funds. The project commissionedprominent UAE-based artists to paint miniature models of Burj Khalifa, which were then auctioned byChristie's.
A Bolt of Steel
The souvenir shop located at At The Top, Burj Khalifa carries the steel bolts that were used in theconstruction of Burj Khalifa for sale.
A Level Above Breathtaking
The Observation Deck on Level 148 of Burj Khalifa is the highest in the world at 555 meters.
Pushing Boundaries
When Burj Khalifa was first conceived, it was a 90-storey tower. It was His Highness Sheikh MohammedBin Rashid Al Maktoum who inspired Emaar to push boundaries and create a truly iconic tower.
Parking Spaces
For the convenience of guests and those who work in the tower, Burj Khalifa has 3,000 undergroundparking bays.
A Matter of Space
The Residences at Burj Khalifa cover 1.85 million square feet in total, while The Offices cover morethan 300,000 square feet.
