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Burj Khalifa

✨ The desert spire

Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, standing 828 metres tall and holding the record as the world’s tallest building. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with Adrian Smith as chief architect, it forms the centrepiece of the Downtown Dubai development. Construction began in 2004, the exterior was completed in 2009, and the tower officially opened on 4 January 2010.

Its design was inspired in part by the shape of a desert flower and uses a series of setbacks that become progressively smaller toward the top. This stepped arrangement helps reduce wind forces acting on the structure. The tower is supported by a reinforced-concrete buttressed-core system, in which a strong central core works with projecting structural wings to provide stability at great height.

Burj Khalifa contains residences, offices, a hotel, restaurants, observation decks, and technical facilities. High-speed elevators serve the different levels, while mechanical floors house equipment for cooling, ventilation, water supply, and other building systems. The exterior combines glass, aluminium, and textured panels designed to withstand Dubai’s hot climate and strong sunlight.

Engineers also had to account for wind, temperature changes, and the movement of materials during construction. Beyond its engineering importance, Burj Khalifa became a major symbol of Dubai’s rapid urban growth and international profile. It holds several height-related records, including the world’s highest occupied floor and the highest outdoor observation deck. The tower stands at the centre of a large urban district containing public spaces, parks, and the Dubai Fountain.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that the Burj Khalifa is so tall that you can see the sunset twice on the same day? If you watch the sun set down at the ground floor, then take the ultra-fast elevator to the top, you can watch it disappear a second time! It's a magical experience that you can't have anywhere else.

The water used in the Burj Khalifa's air conditioning system doesn't go to waste. Each year, the tower collects enough condensation water to fill about 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools! This water is then used to irrigate the magnificent gardens and fountains surrounding the tower. It's a great way to recycle water in the desert.

Cleaning the tower's 24,000 windows is a titanic job! It takes a team of very brave window washers and about 4 months to clean the entire building from top to bottom. As soon as they finish the last window at the bottom, they have to start all over again from the top. It's the biggest cleaning job in the world!