Burj Khalifa

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Template:Short description Template:Pp-vandalism Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox building

File:Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building) and the Dubai skyline (25781049892).jpg
Photographic silhouette of the Dubai skyline; the Burj Khalifa is visible at the center

The Burj KhalifaTemplate:Efn (known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration) is a megatall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, it is the world's tallest structure, with a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft, or just over half a mile) and a roof height (excluding the antenna, but including a 242.6 m spire)<ref name="Vanity" /> of 828 m (2,717 ft). It has also been the tallest building in the world since its topping out in 2009, surpassing Taipei 101, which had held the record for a half-decade.<ref name="CTBUHdb">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="DubaiOneInauguration" />

Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004; the exterior was completed five years later. The primary structure is reinforced concrete. Some of the structural steel for the building was salvaged from the demolished Palace of the Republic in East Berlin.<ref name="dw">Template:Cite news</ref> The building was opened in 2010 as part of a new development called Downtown Dubai. It was designed to be the centerpiece of large-scale, mixed-use development.

The building is named after the former president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.<ref name="USAtoday">Template:Cite news</ref> The United Arab Emirates government provided Dubai with financial support as the developer, Emaar Properties, experienced financial problems during the Great Recession. Then-president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed, organized federal financial support. For his support, Mohammad bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai, changed the name from "Burj Dubai" to "Burj Khalifa" during inauguration.

The design is derived from the Islamic architecture of the region, such as in the Great Mosque of Samarra. The Y-shaped tripartite floor geometry is designed to optimise residential and hotel space. A buttressed central core and wings are used to support the height of the building. The Burj Khalifa's central core houses all vertical transportation except egress stairs within each of the wings.<ref name="academic.csuohio.edu">Template:Cite web</ref> The structure also features a cladding system which is designed to withstand Dubai's hot summer temperatures.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It contains a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.

Development

Construction began on 12 January 2004, with the exterior of the structure completed on 1 October 2009. The building officially opened on 4 January 2010<ref name="opening">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">Template:Cite news</ref> and is part of the 2 km2 (490 acres) Downtown Dubai development at the 'First Interchange' along Sheikh Zayed Road, near Dubai's main business district.

The tower's architecture and engineering were performed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill of Chicago, with Adrian Smith as chief architect, and Bill Baker as a chief structural engineer.<ref name="Record High">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The firm had designed the Sears Tower in Chicago, a previous record holder for the world's tallest building.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hyder Consulting was supervising engineer and NORR Group Consultants supervised the architecture. The primary contractor was Samsung C&T of South Korea, together with the Belgian group BESIX and the local company Arabtec.<ref name="SkyscraperPage">Template:Cite web</ref>

Numerous complaints concerned migrant workers from South Asia, the primary building labour force, who were paid low wages and sometimes had their passports confiscated.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Conception

Burj Khalifa was designed to be the centerpiece of a large-scale, mixed-use development to include 30,000 homes,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> nine hotels (including The Address Downtown Dubai), Template:Convert of parkland, at least 19 residential skyscrapers, the Dubai Mall, and the Template:Convert artificial Burj Khalifa Lake. The decision to build Burj Khalifa was reportedly based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy to one that is service and tourism based. According to officials, projects like Burj Khalifa needed to be built to garner more international recognition and hence investment. "He (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum) wanted to put Dubai on the map with something really sensational," said Jacqui Josephson, a tourism and VIP delegations executive at Nakheel Properties.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The tower was known as Burj Dubai ("Dubai Tower") until its official opening in January 2010.<ref name="name change" /> It was renamed in honour of the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Abu Dhabi and the federal government of UAE lent Dubai tens of billions of US dollars so that Dubai could pay its debts – Dubai borrowed at least $80 billion for construction projects.<ref name="name change">Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2000s, Dubai started diversifying its economy but it suffered from the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession, leaving large-scale projects already in construction abandoned.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Records

The Burj Khalifa set several world records, including:

Architecture and design

File:Comparisonfinal001fx7.png
A cross-section of comparisons of various towers, from ground level from top to bottom: Burj Khalifa, Taipei 101, Willis Tower, and the original World Trade Center

The tower was designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM), which also designed the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) in Chicago and the One World Trade Center in New York City. Burj Khalifa uses the bundled tube design of the Willis Tower, invented by Fazlur Rahman Khan.<ref name="constructionweekonline.com">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to its tubular system, proportionally only half the amount of steel was used in the construction, compared to the Empire State Building.<ref name="constructionweekonline.com" /><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Khan's contributions to the design of tall buildings have had a profound impact on architecture and engineering. It would be difficult to find any worldwide practices in the design of tall buildings that have not been directly or indirectly influenced by his work.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The design is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright's vision for The Illinois, a mile-high skyscraper designed for Chicago, as well as Chicago's Lake Point Tower. When Adrian Smith was conceiving the project at SOM, he looked out his office window toward Lake Point Tower's curved three-wing layout and thought, "There's the prototype".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> According to Strabala, Burj Khalifa was designed based on the 73 floor Tower Palace Three, an all-residential building in Seoul. In its early planning, Burj Khalifa was intended to be entirely residential.<ref name="Height Revealed">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

After the original design by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, Emaar Properties chose Hyder Consulting to be the supervising engineer and NORR Group Consultants International Ltd to supervise the architecture of the project.<ref name="Hyder1">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Hyder was selected for their expertise in structural and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) engineering.<ref name="Hyder2">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref> Hyder Consulting's role was to supervise construction, certify the architect's design, and be the engineer and architect of record to the UAE authorities.<ref name="Hyder1" /> NORR's role was the supervision of all architectural components including on-site supervision during the construction and design of a 6-storey addition to the office annex building for architectural documentation. NORR was also responsible for the architectural integration drawings for the Armani Hotel included in the Tower. Emaar Properties also engaged GHD,<ref name="GHD Projects">Template:Cite web</ref> an international multidisciplinary consulting firm, to act as an independent verification and testing authority for concrete and steelwork.

The design is derived from Islamic architecture.<ref name="gn" /> As the tower rises from the flat desert base, there are 27 setbacks in a spiral pattern, decreasing the cross-section of the tower as it rises and creating convenient outdoor terraces. These setbacks are arranged and aligned in a way that minimizes vibration wind loading from eddy currents and vortices.<ref name="academic.csuohio.edu" /> At the top, the central core emerges and is sculpted to form a finishing spire. At its tallest point, the tower sways a total of Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Samara spiralovity minaret rijen1973.jpg
The spiral minaret at the Great Mosque of Samarra

The spire of Burj Khalifa is composed of more than Template:Convert of structural steel. The central pinnacle pipe weighs Template:Convert and has a height of Template:Convert. The spire also houses communications equipment.<ref name="structure" /> This Template:Convert spire is widely considered vanity height, since very little of its space is usable. Without the spire, Burj Khalifa would be Template:Convert tall. This was reported in a Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat study, which notes that the empty spire "could be a skyscraper on its own".<ref name="Vanity">Template:Cite news</ref> Such a skyscraper, if located in Europe, would be the 11th tallest building on that continent.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2009 architects announced that more than 1,000 pieces of art would adorn the interiors of Burj Khalifa, while the residential lobby of Burj Khalifa would display the work of Jaume Plensa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The cladding system consists of Template:Convert of more than 26,000 reflective glass panels and aluminium and textured stainless steel spandrel panels with vertical tubular fins.<ref name="structure" /> The architectural glass provides solar and thermal performance as well as an anti-glare shield for the intense desert sun, extreme desert temperatures and strong winds. The glass covers more than Template:Convert in area.Template:Citation needed The Burj's typical curtain wall panels measure Template:Convert wide by Template:Convert high and weigh about Template:Convert each, with wider panels near the building's edges and taller ones near the top.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The exterior temperature at the top of the building is thought to be 6 °C (11 °F) cooler than at its base.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Update inline

A 304-room Armani Hotel, the first of 4 by Armani, occupies 15 of the lower 39 floors.<ref name="CTBUHdb" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The hotel was supposed to open on 18 March 2010,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> but after several delays, it finally opened to the public on 27 April 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The corporate suites and offices were also supposed to open from March onwards,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> yet the hotel and observation deck remained the only parts of the building which were open in April 2010.

The sky lobbies on the 43rd and 76th floors house swimming pools.<ref name="residents">Template:Cite news</ref> Floors 20 through 108 have 900 private residential apartments (which, according to the developer, sold out within eight hours of being on the market). An outdoor zero-entry swimming pool is located on the 76th floor of the tower. Corporate offices and suites fill most of the remaining floors, except for the 122nd, 123rd, and 124th, where the At.mosphere restaurant, sky lobby, and an indoor and outdoor observation deck are located respectively. In January 2010, it was planned that Burj Khalifa would receive its first residents in February 2010.<ref name="residents" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The building has 57 elevators and 8 escalators.<ref name="structure" /> The elevators have a capacity of 12 to 14 people per cabin, and include the world's fastest double-deck elevators, rising and descending at up to Template:Convert. Engineers initially considered installing the world's first triple-deck elevators.<ref name="Emporis" /> The double-deckers are equipped with LCD displays to amuse visitors during their travel to the observation deck.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The building has 2,909 stairs from the ground floor to the 160th floor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Plumbing systems

The Burj Khalifa's water system supplies an average of Template:Convert of water per day through Template:Convert of pipes.<ref name="gn" /><ref name="Wharton">Template:Cite web</ref> An additional Template:Convert of piping serves the fire emergency system, and Template:Convert supplies chilled water for the air conditioning system.<ref name="Wharton" />

Air conditioning

The air conditioning system draws air from the upper floors where the air is cooler and cleaner than on the ground.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At peak cooling times, the tower's cooling is Template:Cvt, equivalent to that provided by Template:Convert of melting ice in one day.<ref name="Wharton" /> Water is collected via a condensate collection system and is used to irrigate the nearby park.<ref name="gn" />

Window cleaning

To wash the 24,348 windows, totaling Template:Convert of glass, the building has three horizontal tracks, each holding a Template:Convert bucket machine. Above level 109, and up to tier 27, traditional cradles from davits are used. The top of the building is cleaned by a crew that uses ropes to descend from the top to gain access.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:YouTube from Supersized Earth – Episode 1 – BBC One Template:Webarchive</ref> Under normal conditions, when all building maintenance units are operational, it takes 36 workers three to four months to clean the entire exterior.<ref name="structure">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="cleaning">Template:Cite news</ref>

Unmanned machines clean the top 27 additional tiers and the glass spire. The cleaning system was developed in Melbourne, Australia, by CoxGomyl, a manufacturer of building maintenance units,<ref name="telegraphwindowcleaning">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore,</ref> at a cost of A$8 million.<ref name="cleaning" />

Features

Fountain

File:Dubai Fountain 7.JPG
The Dubai Fountain

Template:Main Outside the Burj Khalifa, WET Enterprises designed a fountain system at a cost of Dh 800 million (US$217 million). Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 50 coloured projectors, it is Template:Convert long and shoots water Template:Convert into the air while accompanied by a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and other music. It is the world's largest choreographed fountain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 26 October 2008, Emaar announced that based on results of a naming contest the fountain would be called the Dubai Fountain.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Observation deck

Template:Main

File:Dubai Fountain from At The Top of Burj Khalifa.JPG
View of The Dubai Fountain from the observation deck
File:View from burj khalifa6934713247 db12c311cb o.jpg
View from the observation deck

An outdoor observation deck, named At the Top, opened on 5 January 2010 on the 124th floor, at Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It opened the 148th floor SKY level at Template:Convert, giving it the highest observation deck in the world on 15 October 2014.<ref name="bus-insider">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="at_the_top">Template:Cite web</ref> However, in June 2016 the Shanghai Tower opened with an observation deck at a height of 561 metres, thus taking the title of the world's highest observation deck. Subsequently, the Burj Khalifa reclaimed the record on February 18, 2019, when it opened The Lounge observatory at Template:Convert, which is also the highest lounge in the world.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Burj Khalifa's 124th floor observation deck also features a so-called electronic telescope, an augmented reality device developed by Gsmprjct° of Montréal, which allows visitors to view the surrounding landscape in real-time, and to view previously saved images such as those taken at different times of day or under different weather conditions.<ref name="gsm">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="gsm2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> To reduce the daily rush of sightseers, management allows visitors to purchase tickets in advance for a specific date and time, at a 75% discount on tickets purchased on the spot.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 8 February 2010, the observation deck was closed to the public for two months after power-supply problems caused an elevator to become stuck between floors, trapping a group of tourists for 45 minutes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

When the tide is low and visibility is high, people can see the shores of Iran (which is around Template:Convert away) from the top of the skyscraper.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Park

Template:Main Burj Khalifa is surrounded by an Template:Convert park designed by landscape architects SWA Group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Like the tower, the park's design was based on the flower of the Hymenocallis, a desert plant.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the centre of the park is the water room, which is a series of pools and water jet fountains. Benches and signs incorporate images of Burj Khalifa and the Hymenocallis flower.<ref name="park-ab">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

The plants are watered by water collected from the building's cooling system. The system provides Template:Convert annually.<ref name="park-ab" /> WET Enterprises, who also developed the Dubai Fountain, developed the park's six water features.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Floor plan

Floors Purpose<ref name="structure" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Dimetric projection with floors colour-coded by function<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
160–163 Mechanical

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File:Burj Khalifa floors.svg
156–159 Communication and broadcast
155 Mechanical
152–154 The Lounge observatory
149–151 Corporate suites
148 At the Top Sky observatory
139–147 Corporate suites
136–138 Mechanical
125–135 Corporate suites
124 At the Top observatory
123 Sky lobby
122 At.mosphere restaurant
111–121 Corporate suites
109–110 Mechanical
77–108 Residential
76 Sky lobby
73–75 Mechanical
44–72 Residential
43 Sky lobby
40–42 Mechanical
38–39 Armani Hotel suites
19–37 Residential
17–18 Mechanical
9–16 Armani Residences
1–8 Armani Hotel
Ground Armani Hotel, Lobby
Concourse Armani Hotel, Lobby
B1–B2 Parking, Mechanical

Ramadan observance

On the higher floors, the sun is seen for several minutes after it has set at ground level. Those living above the 80th floor should wait two extra minutes to break their Ramadan fast, and those living above the 150th floor should wait three minutes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Construction

File:Burj Dubai Evolution.ogv
thumbtime=0:23
File:Burj dubai aerial closeup.jpg
Aerial closeup of Burj Khalifa under construction in March 2008

The tower was constructed by Samsung C&T from South Korea, which also did work on the Petronas Twin Towers and Taipei 101.<ref name="Samsung E&C">Template:Cite web</ref> Samsung C&T built the tower in a joint venture with BESIX from Belgium and Arabtec from the UAE.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Turner was the project manager on the main construction contract.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hong Kong-based Far East Aluminium combined to provide the exterior cladding for Burj Khalifa.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The contractor and the engineer of record was Hyder Consulting.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Under UAE law, the contractor and the engineer of record is jointly and severally liable for the performance of Burj Khalifa.

The primary structure is reinforced concrete. Putzmeister created a new, super high-pressure trailer concrete pump, the BSA 14000 SHP-D, for this project.<ref name="Putzmeister" /> Burj Khalifa's construction used Template:Convert of concrete and Template:Convert of steel rebar, and construction took 22 million man-hours.<ref name="Record High" /> In May 2008 Putzmeister pumped concrete with more than 21 MPA ultimate compressive strength of gravel to surpass the 600 metres weight of the effective area of each column from the foundation to the next 4th level, and the rest was by metal columns jacketed or covered with concrete to a then world record delivery height of Template:Convert,<ref name="Putzmeister" /> the 156th floor. Three tower cranes were used during the construction of the uppermost levels, each capable of lifting a 25-tonne load.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The remaining structure above was constructed of lighter steel.

In 2003, 33 test holes were drilled to study the strength of the bedrock underlying the structure.<ref name=GeoMarc /> "Weak to very weak sandstone and siltstone" was found, just metres below the surface.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Samples were taken from test holes drilled to a depth of 140 metres, finding weak to very weak rock all the way.<ref name="GeoPrac2010-01-04" /> The study described the site as part of a "seismically active area".Template:Citation needed Another challenging element was the shamal which often creates sandstorms.<ref name="dupre" />

Over Template:Convert of concrete, weighing more than Template:Convert were used to construct the concrete and steel foundation, which features 192 piles; each pile is 1.5 metre in diameter by 43 m in length, buried more than Template:Convert deep.<ref name="Emporis" /> The foundation was designed to support the total building weight of approximately Template:Convert. This weight was then divided by the compressive strength of concrete which is 30 MPa which yielded 450 sq. metres of vertical normal effective area, which then yielded 12 metres by 12 metres dimensions.<ref name="VanHamptonApril2008">Template:Cite journal</ref> A cathodic protection system is under the concrete to neutralise the sulphate and chloride-rich groundwater and prevent corrosion.<ref name="structure" /><ref name="dupre" />

During the construction of the Burj Khalifa, over 35,000 tonnes of structural steel was obtained from the Palace of the Republic in Berlin, which had served as the parliament building for the Volkskammer of the former East Germany. The steel was shipped to Dubai after the Palace's demolition was completed in 2008.<ref name="dw" />

The Burj Khalifa is highly compartmentalised. Pressurised, air-conditioned refuge floors are located every 13 floors (on floors G, 13, 26, 39, 52, etc.) where people can shelter on their long walk down to safety in case of an emergency or fire.<ref name="structure" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Special mixes of concrete were made to withstand the extreme pressures of the massive building weight; as is typical with reinforced concrete construction, each batch of concrete was tested to ensure it could withstand certain pressures. CTLGroup, working for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, conducted the creep and shrinkage testing critical for the structural analysis of the building.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The consistency of the concrete used in the project was essential. It was difficult to create a concrete that could withstand both the thousands of tonnes bearing down on it and Persian Gulf temperatures that can reach Template:Convert. To combat this problem, the concrete was not poured during the day. Instead, during the summer months, ice was added to the mixture and it was poured at night when the air was cooler and the humidity was higher. Cooler concrete cures more evenly and is, therefore, less likely to set too quickly and crack. Any significant cracks could have put the entire project in jeopardy.<ref name="Al-Tayyib1989">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Ji2009">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Gjørv2011">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Friedman2018">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Bester2013">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Milestones

File:Burj Dubai 001.jpg
Burj Khalifa and skyline of Dubai, 2010

Real estate values

In March 2009, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman of the project's developer, Emaar Properties, said office space pricing at Burj Khalifa reached US$4,000 per sq ft (over US$43,000 per m2) and the Armani Residences, also in Burj Khalifa, sold for US$3,500 per sq ft (over US$37,500 per m2).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He estimated the total cost for the project to be about US$1.5 billion.<ref name="USAtoday" />

The project's completion coincided with the Great Recession, and with vast overbuilding in the country, leading to high vacancies and foreclosures.<ref name="monument">Template:Cite news</ref> With Dubai mired in debt from its huge ambitions, the government was forced to seek multibillion-dollar bailouts from its oil-rich neighbor Abu Dhabi. Subsequently, in a surprise move at its opening ceremony, the tower was renamed Burj Khalifa, said to honour the UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his crucial support.<ref name="DubaiOneInauguration">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Because of the slumping demand in Dubai's property market, the rents in the Burj Khalifa plummeted 40% some ten months after its opening. Out of 900 apartments in the tower, 825 were still empty at that time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Over the next 30 months, overseas investors steadily bought up available apartments and office space.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By October 2012, Emaar reported that around 80% of the apartments were occupied.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Official launch ceremony

The ceremony was broadcast live on a giant screen on Burj Park Island and on smaller screens elsewhere.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Hundreds of media outlets from around the world reported live from the scene.<ref name="details revealed" /> In addition to the media presence, 6,000 guests were expected.<ref name="billions and billions">Template:Cite news</ref>

The opening was held on 4 January 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The ceremony featured a display of 10,000 fireworks, light beams projected on and around the tower, and further sound, light and water effects.<ref name="details revealed">Template:Cite magazine</ref> The celebratory lighting was designed by UK lighting designers Speirs and Major Associates.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Using the 868 powerful stroboscope lights that are integrated into the façade and spire of the tower, different lighting sequences were choreographed, together with more than 50 different combinations of other effects.Template:Citation needed

Controversies

Incidents

On 10 May 2011, an Asian migrant worker in his mid-30s jumped to his death from the 147th floor onto the 108th floor's deck. Dubai police said he killed himself because his company refused to let him leave the country.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 18 May 2015, Dubai police disputed a report that a Portuguese tourist named Laura Vanessa Nunes fell to her death from the Burj Khalifa the prior 16 November, claiming that she fell from the Jumeirah Lake Towers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Nine News obtained emails from Portugal's embassy in the UAE under freedom of information laws, which indicated that the female tourist jumped from the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Labour

Template:Further The Burj Khalifa was built primarily by workers from South Asia and East Asia.<ref name="Riot">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This is generally because the current generation of UAE locals prefer governmental jobs and do not have an attitude favouring private sector employment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 17 June 2008, there were about 7,500 skilled workers employed at the construction site.<ref name="Emaar20080617" /> Press reports indicated in 2006 that skilled carpenters at the site earned £4.34 a day, and labourers earned £2.84.<ref name="Riot" /> According to a BBC investigation and a Human Rights Watch report, the workers were housed in abysmal conditions, and worked long hours for low pay.<ref name="HRW111106">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During construction, one construction-related death was reported.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Workplace injuries and deaths in the UAE are poorly documented, according to Human Rights Watch.<ref name="HRW111106" />

In March 2006 about 2,500 workers, upset over buses that were delayed for the end of their shifts, protested and triggered a riot, damaging cars, offices, computers, and construction equipment.<ref name="Riot" /> A Dubai Interior Ministry official said the rioters caused almost £500,000 in damage.<ref name="Riot" /> Most of the workers involved in the riot returned the following day but refused to work.<ref name="Riot" />

New Year's Eve

Emaar New Year's Eve is an annual event held every 31 December at Burj Khalifa, organised by Emaar Properties.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The event consists of fireworks launched from Burj Khalifa, a light and laser show on the facade of Burj Khalifa, and an accompanying soundtrack and a special fountain show on The Dubai Fountain choreographed to the soundtrack.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Emaar New Year's Eve fireworks celebration originated in 2010 with the inauguration of the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. The celebration was broadcast live to more than 2 million people and lasted for 3 minutes.<ref name="nye3">Template:Cite web</ref>

Since 2011, national live broadcasting rights have been held by Dubai Media Incorporated and Dubai TV.<ref name="nye3" />

Emaar New Year's Eve has won two Guinness World Records, including "Largest LED-Illuminated Facade" in 2015 and 2019.<ref name="nye1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="nye2">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2017 and 2018, Emaar New Year's Eve was broadcast live on Twitter,<ref name="nye8">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and YouTube. In 2020, it was broadcast live for the first time on Zoom.<ref name="nye10">Template:Cite press release</ref>

In 2021, Emaar celebrated solidarity in honour of frontline workers of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

For the 2022 event, a laser feature was installed on The Dubai Fountain in sync with the Burj Khalifa's laser and fireworks show.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

BASE jumping

The building has been used by several experienced BASE jumpers for authorised and unauthorised BASE jumping:

In May 2008, Hervé Le Gallou and David McDonnell, dressed as engineers, entered Burj Khalifa (around Template:Convert at the time), and jumped off a balcony situated several floors below the 160th floor.<ref>Template:Cite webVideo documentary about the BASE jump from the Burj Dubai tower.</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 8 January 2010, with permission of the authorities, Nasr Al Niyadi and Omar Al Hegelan, from the Emirates Aviation Society, broke the world record for the highest BASE jump from a building after they leapt from a crane-suspended platform attached to the 160th floor at Template:Convert. The two men descended the vertical drop at a speed of up to Template:Convert, with enough time to open their parachutes 10 seconds into the 90-second jump.<ref>Highest base jump-Nasr Al Niyadi and Omar Al Hegelan sets world record Template:Webarchive. Retrieved 9 January 2010.</ref><ref name="BASE jumping">Template:Cite news</ref>

On 21 April 2014, with permission of the authorities and support from several sponsors, highly experienced French BASE jumpers Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen broke the Guinness world record for the highest BASE jump from a building after they leapt from a specially designed platform, built at the very top of the pinnacle, at Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite videoTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Climbing

On 28 March 2011, Alain "Spiderman" Robert scaled the outside of Burj Khalifa. The climb to the top of the spire took 6 hours. To comply with UAE safety laws, Robert, who usually climbs in free solo style, used a rope and harness.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Awards

File:P1040471 (14230484239).jpg
Burj Khalifa artwork project made of Lego in Bricksworld 2014

In June 2010, Burj Khalifa was the recipient of the 2010 "Best Tall Building Middle East & Africa" award by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 28 September 2010 Burj Khalifa won the award for the best project of the year at the Middle East Architect Awards 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Awards Chair Gordon Gill, of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, said:

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Burj Khalifa was also the recipient of the following awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Year Award
2012 Award of Merit for World Voices Sculpture, Burj Khalifa Lobby from Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI), Chicago.
2011 Interior Architecture Award, Certificate of Merit from AIA – Chicago Chapter.
Distinguished Building Award, Citation of Merit from AIA – Chicago Chapter.
Interior Architecture Award: Special Recognition from AIA – Chicago Chapter.
Design Excellence Award: Special Function Room.
Excellence in Engineering from ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) – Illinois Chapter.
Outstanding Structure Award from International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering.
Decade of Design, Presidential Commendation in Corporate Space Small from International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
Decade of Design • Best of Category/Mixed Use Buildings from International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
GCC Technical Building Project of the Year from MEED (formerly Middle East Economic Digest).
Project of the Year from MEED.
2010 International Architecture Award.
Arab Achievement Award 2010: Best Architecture Project from Arab Investment Summit.
Architecture Award (Mixed Use) Dubai from Arabian Property Awards.
Architecture Award (Mixed Use) Arabian Region from Arabian Property Awards.
International Architecture Award from Chicago Athenaeum.
American Architecture Award from Chicago Athenaeum.
Commercial / Mixed Use Built from Cityscape.
Best Mixed Use Built Development in Cityscape Abu Dhabi.
Skyscraper Award: Silver Medal from Emporis.
Award for Commercial or Retail Structure from Institution of Structural Engineers.
International Architecture Award (Mixed Use) from International Commercial Property Awards.
Special Recognition for Technological Advancement from International Highrise Awards.
Best Structural Design of the Year from LEAF Award.
International Projects Category: Outstanding Project from National Council of Structural Engineers Associations.
Best of What's New from Popular Science Magazine.
Spark Awards, Silver Award.
Excellence in Structural Engineering: Most Innovative Structure from SEAOI.

See also

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Notes

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References

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