Burj Khalifa is the most famous and tallest skyscraper in the world. Built in the United Arab Emirates in 2010. Its spire, also the tallest in the world, is visible from virtually every corner of Dubai. Burj Khalifa is the main attraction of the city, which hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world seek to see.
The tower is the tallest building ever built by man in history. It reaches a height of more than 800 metres (2,625 ft), has more than 160th floor and is the largest number of floors of any building in the world.
Burj Khalifa – basic facts about the building
Outwardly, Burj Khalifa resembles a stalagmite striving to the sky. The building, which is 828 meters high, has 163 floors. It called “a city within a city”, as the entire infrastructure well developed inside the tower. There are swimming pools, apartments, offices, green spaces, shops and more.
Some interesting facts about the Burj Khalifa:
- the approximate cost of building a high-rise building estimated at $ 1.5 billion;
- the construction site employed about 12,000 people;
- for the construction of the skyscraper, 320 thousand cubic meters of concrete and more than 60 tons of reinforcement used;
- the world’s tallest restaurant is located on the 122nd floor;
- the air in the premises saturated with a specially created aroma for it;
- the building equipped with a system for collecting condensate, which accumulated in the reservoir and used to irrigate green spaces in the adjacent territory;
- parking on the underground floors of the building designed for 3,000 cars;
- there are 57 elevators in the building, the average speed of which is 10 m / s.
The construction of one floor took about 5-7, and sometimes 10-14 days. Not without difficulties. Due to limited funding and untimely wages, workers often went on strike, which delayed construction.
Construction and design features of Burj Khalifa
Even at the design stage, the tallest building in the world shrouded in mystery, since its height not officially disclosed. They were always ready to correct it if the Burj Khalifa had a high-rise “competitor”.
The main architect Adrian Smith, according to whose project the Jin Mao skyscraper in Shanghai already built. The general contractor was the construction company Samsung. Work on the world’s tallest building began in 2004. The goal is to build a unique “vertical city” with an independent infrastructure and even its own streets.
The foundation of Burj Khalifa was a concrete base in the form of a three-petalled desert flower – hymenokallis. It provides stability, supports enormous weight and divides the interior space into three main wings.
For the construction of the foundation, 200 piles, 45 m long and about 1.5 m in diameter, used. Additional stability and strength of the tower given by special counterweights – balls of steel and concrete with a total weight of 800 tons! They also neutralize fluctuations.
It is interesting! During the construction process, ice was added to the concrete and the mortar was poured only at night. Otherwise, the high daytime temperatures would have prevented the concrete from gaining the required strength. Moreover, its composition was developed specifically for the climatic conditions of the hot city of the United Arab Emirates.
Wind resistance is especially important for a skyscraper. Air currents flowing around a building of this height form vortices that tilt it to the side. To avoid the catastrophic consequences of this phenomenon, Burj Khalifa’s designers have moved away from angular architectural forms. They designed each “tower” so that the air vortices tilted the high-rise in different directions , losing their strength.
What’s inside Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa skyscraper is luxurious not only outside, but also inside. Eminent designers worked on the interiors; the most modern and expensive materials used for decoration. Engineering systems and technical equipment of the building amaze the imagination no less than its design.
Functional areas
The tower has three wings, each of which divided into separate functional areas.
In the huge Burj Khalifa square you can find:
- Observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors – the rise to them by high-speed elevators takes about a minute, after which an amazing panorama of Dubai opens up to visitors (360-degree view); tickets purchased on specialized sites or at the box office of the mall.
- Gourmet restaurant “Atmosphere” – above average check, 80 seats, luxurious interior; concept – “yacht in the sky”.
- Hotel Armani – unique interiors designed by Giorgio Armani decorated with expensive designer furniture. Registration of visitors takes place in the rooms, individually; at the guests’ disposal are a spa center, restaurants, business halls, boutique shops, an outdoor terrace for 600 people.
- 900 residential apartments with a unique interior design, a full range of services, smart home systems and a cost of several million euros.
- Office space on 37 floors.
- Sports and health club (gyms, swimming pools, spa center).
There is also a library, a shop with gourmet products, a cigar club, parking.
Engineering solutions
To make Burj Khalifa as comfortable and as safe as possible, the designers have implemented the most modern engineering solutions.
Some of them called “green”, as they are aimed at preserving the environment, reducing the consumption of natural resources. This:
- high-tech glazing system that maintains a certain microclimate in the premises;
- “Utilization” of heat for the operation of the ventilation system;
- using sea water instead of fresh water in the building’s cooling system.
30,000 thermal panels on the facade of the multifunctional center prevent the penetration of ultraviolet radiation inside, reducing the cost of cooling the premises.
Seven double technical floors, evenly distributed in height, and special solutions for the arrangement of equipment made it possible to neutralize the colossal pressure drops in engineering systems.
The system of high-speed elevators has also been carefully thought out. To shorten their waiting time, one has to climb to high floors with a transfer. The largest lift can accommodate 60 people! The emergency braking system is able to stop the cab in 1-2 seconds.
Interesting fact! The Khalifa Tower in Dubai is the first skyscraper to introduce an automated elevator evacuation system.
Decoration of the adjacent territory
Not only the architecture and infrastructure of the skyscraper deserves due attention, but also the design of the adjacent territory. Burj Khalifa gardens and parks conceived as a natural continuation of the building, a symbol of its fusion with the land.
The garden and park ensemble is 11 hectares of unique plantations in the form of exquisite flower beds and tree groves. You can admire them both while walking and from a bird’s eye view. The design of the gardens dictated by oriental motives and developed by John Wong.
When choosing plants, the preference given to the local flora, but there are also “guests” from other countries among them. They are all resistant to drought and scorching sunlight.
Interesting fact! The parks and gardens of the Khalifa tower surprise and delight with their clear geometry. It was achieved thanks to the competent laying of pedestrian paths and careful selection of plants according to the color scheme.
Special attention should be paid to the network of artificial ponds with fountains, in the mirror surface of which the skyscraper reflected. The largest fountain, the height of the jets of which reaches 150 m, illuminated by 6,600 light sources at night.
Burj Khalifa is a luxurious, majestic building that is worth seeing to appreciate the work of thousands of people and leave an indelible mark on your memory.
Internal division of floors in Burj Khalifa
The internal division of the floors of Burj Khalifa illustrated as follows:
Armani Hotel Dubai: A luxury hotel that occupies floors from the first and second floors to the two floors (38, 39), and luxury one- and two-bedroom suites located on lower floors 9-16 in Burj Khalifa.
Private Ultra-Luxury Residences, located on floors 45 to 108. A Residents’ Library, Burj Khalifa includes a library dedicated to the building’s residents.
Sky Lobby: Sky Lobby facilities are located on floors 123, and 43rd and 76th floors which also include jacuzzi, fitness facilities and swimming pools.
At The Top, the top of Burj Khalifa has 124, 125 and 148 floors overlooking the surrounding area, from which visitors can see the stunning views of the city’s skyline.
Atmosphere Restaurant: Located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, at an altitude of 422 m from the ground, Atmosphere offers visitors many world-class delicacies in Burj Khalifa.
Burj Khalifa Awards
Among the most important and prominent awards received by Burj Khalifa are the following:
- Certificate of appreciation from AIA Chicago branch.
- Skyscraper Award.
- International Architecture Award.
- Interior Architecture Award.
- Silver Medal of Emporia.
- Award for Excellence in Engineering from the American Society.
- Outstanding Structure Award from the International Interior Design Association of Bridges and Structural Engineering.
Burj Khalifa Tickets
See unforgettable panoramic views of Dubai from the observation deck at Burj Khalifa Dubai. Enjoy 360-degree views of Dubai and the Arabian Gulf
Price
Floor 124 and 125
(Adults – $59.99) – (Child 4-12 – $39.99)
From 4pm to 6pm only – add $19.99 – child $4.99
124th, 125th and 148th floors
(Adults – $109.99) – (Child 4-12 – $104.99)
From 4pm to 6pm only – add $19.99 to adult or child
Add $19.99 per person for the shared bus from your hotel to Burj Khalifa (10am)
Add $39.99 per person for private cars
Trip Summary
See unforgettable panoramic views of Dubai from the observation deck at the famous Burj Khalifa Dubai for the lowest price and entrance fee, the world’s tallest building. Let the jaw hit the ground as you rise 125 floors to the magnificent 360-degree views of the Arabian Gulf.
Features of the trip
See Dubai from the highest skyscraper on the planet, Burj Khalifa
Take a short trip to the 125th floor in the fastest elevator in the world
Enjoy 360-degree views of Dubai and the Arabian Gulf from Burj Khalifa
Watch the sunset over the city from the observation deck in the sky from Burj Khalifa
Delight your eyes on the Dubai Fountain from your distinctive point of view
Top 10 buildings in the world and the ranking descending
1. Burj Khalifa :
- City: Dubai.
- Country: UAE.
- Height : 828 meters.
- Number of floors: 163 floors.
- Build Date: 2010.
2. House Towers :
- City: Mecca.
- Country: Saudi Arabia.
- Height : 601 meters.
- Number of floors: 120 floors.
- Build Date: 2012.
3. Taipei 101:
- City: Taipei.
- Country: Taiwan.
- Height : 509 meters.
- Number of floors: 101 floors.
- Construction Date: 2008.
4. Shanghai World Financial Center :
- City: Shanghai.
- Country: China.
- Height: 492 meters.
- Number of floors: 101 floors.
- Construction Date: 2008.
5. International Trade Center:
- City: Hong Kong.
- Country: Hong Kong.
- Height : 483 meters.
- Number of floors: 118 floors.
- Build Date: 2010.
6. Petronas Twin Tower:
- City: Kuala Lumpur.
- Country: Malaysia.
- Height : 452 meters.
- Number of floors: 88 floors.
- Construction Date: 1998.
7. Petronas Twin Tower:
- City: Kuala Lumpur.
- Country: Malaysia.
- Height : 452 meters.
- Number of floors: 88 floors.
- Build Date: 1998.
The Petronas Twin Tower two buildings that built together with each other.
8. Nanjing Greenland Financial Tower:
- City: Nanjing.
- Country: China.
- Height : 450 meters.
- Number of floors: 89 floors.
- Build Date: 2010.
9. Willis Tower:
- City: Chicago.
- Country: United States.
- Height : 442 meters.
- Number of floors: 108 floors.
- Build Date: 1973.
10. Kingkey Tower 100:
- City: Shenzhen.
- Country: China.
- Height : 442 meters.
- Number of floors: 100 floors.
- Build Date: 2011.
