Photographers: Nick Merrick ©Hedrich BlessingThe design and engineering of Burj Khalifa redefines the supertall building. By combining cutting-edge technologies and cultural influences, the design firm created a global icon that is a focus of a model for future urban centers and speaks to the global movement towards compact, livable urban areas. The Tower and its surrounding neighborhood are more centralized than any other new development in Dubai. At the centerpiece of the new downtown, Burj Khalifa’s mixed-use program focuses the area’s development density and provides direct connections to mass transit systems. Burj Khalifa’s architecture has embodied references to Islamic architecture and reflects the modern global community it is designed to serve. The building’s “Y” shaped plan provides the maximum amount of perimeter for windows in living spaces without developing internal unusable area. As the tapering tower rises, setbacks occur at the ends of each “wing” in an upward spiraling pattern that decreases the mass of the tower as the height increases. These setbacks were modeled in the wind tunnel to minimize wind forces. With over 3 million square feet of interior space designed for Burj Khalifa, planning of the building’s interiors began at the earliest stages of its design. The design team worked towards attaining three main goals - to recognize and acknowledge the building’s height, to integrate its structural and architectural rationale, and to appreciate the locale’s heritage, history and culture. Inspired by the influences of the building’s technological accomplishments and the region, the design is carefully woven into a classically modern and timeless statement. The interiors of the uppermost floors are designed to reflect celestial influences, while the lower floors are inspired by natural elements. Sustainable features include Sky Sourced Ventilation, Condensate Recovery System, High Performance Glazing, High Voltage Distribution, Electronic Metering, Smart Lighting and Mechanical and Stack Effect Controls.
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