New Delhi: How tall can a building be? The answer to this question has changed over the centuries. Earlier there used to be massive palace and forts which were placed in strategically important place. Then with the change of time, taller building began to appear on the skyline of developed countries. Over the years, the tag of the tallest building in the world has changed owners, with several structures getting the tag. At present, the world’s tallest building is the Burj Khalifa, an engineering marvel which wows millions of tourists every year.
Burj Khalifa: The tallest building in the world
The design of the Burj Khalifa is inspired by Islamic architecture and the floor plan resembles the shape of ‘Y’, seamlessly integrating three structural elements into a singular core and symbolises strength and unity. The height of the Burj Khalifa is 829.8 m or 2,722 ft while its roof height is 828 m or 2,717 ft. Since its topping out in 2009, the Burj Khalifa has been world’s tallest building and it surpassed Taipei 101 which was the tallest building since 2004 till then.
From Burj Dubai to Burj Khalifa: The change in the name
During the construction of the building, its name was Burj Dubai and that name was supposed to stick with it. However, during its constructions, the developer Emaar Properties experienced monetary problems due to the Great Recession taking place at that time. The government of the United Arab Emirates provided financial support and it was arranged by former UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Due to this, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, named the building after the president and changed its name from Burj Dubai to Burj Khalifa.
The construction and architecture of Burj Khalifa
Dubai has a sandy terrain, which is why during the construction of Burj Khalifa, massive concrete base and deep piles were used to provide the structure stability, along with other measures to provide it with a strong foundation. In 2004, the Burj Khalifa’s construction started and the installation of the iconic exterior cladding began in May 2007. In September 2009, its exterior cladding was completed and with Emaar announced that the exterior was completed. On January 4, 2010, it was officially inaugurated as part of the Downtown Dubai.
The design of the Burj Khalifa is based on the region’s Islamic architecture like the Great Mosque of Samarra. The building has residential and hotel space and its height is supported by a buttressed central core and wings. It also has a cladding system to withstand the hot summer temperatures of Dubai. The chief architect of the structure was Adrian Smith while Bill Baker was the chief structural engineer.
The New Year’s Eve at the Burj Khalifa
Every year on December 31, the Emaar Properties organises the Emaar New Year’s Eve at the Burj Khalifa. The event includes launching of fireworks from the building, a light and laser show on Burj Khalifa’s facade, an accompanying soundtrack and on The Dubai Fountain, there is a special fountain show which is choreographed to the tune of the soundtrack.
The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, boasts a stunning design inspired by Islamic architecture. Its construction, initiated in 2004, overcame challenges like Dubai’s sandy terrain. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
