The Burj Khalifa is one of the most iconic buildings illuminating Dubai’s skyline.
Designed by Chicago-based architectural, urban planning and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM), who are also behind Manhattan House and Willis Tower, it was an ambitious undertaking.Famed American architect Adrian Smith was responsible for the vision and design.
Its innovative design is eye-catching but also serves a practical purpose. Architect Adrian Smith’s inspiration for the tower was the Hymenocallis flower Or Spider Lily – a regional desert flower.
Like the Hymenocallis, the Burj Khalifa has an elegant and balanced design. As the tower increases in height, the ‘wings’ or ‘petals’ of the flower re-configure the shape of the building. This mechanism reduces wind and the elements’ impact on the building.
Although rapid urbanisation in Dubai is responsible for environmental issues, including pollution and scarcity of resources, it has taken significant steps in recent years to build greener infrastructure. The Burj Khalifa is an example of a building that embraces the green agenda and circular economy.
The tower is covered in solar panels, which heat more than 140,000 litres of water every day. In turn, this water is used by residents and businesses daily. It also includes an irrigation system that collects condensation from the air conditioning, which provides 15 gallons of water a year, some of which are used on the building’s landscaping and plants.
