Since time immemorial, the great civilizations have always been marked by an iconic structure to stamp their mark in history. There’s the Colosseum, an elliptical amphitheatre in Rome, is regarded as the Ancient Romans’ greatest architectural feat. The Taj Mahal in India is among the finest specimens of Mughal architecture. In Europe, there’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy that was built in 1173.
The construction of skyscrapers is the modern civilization’s interpretation of perpetuating the tradition. There’s the Petronas Towers standing at 170 meters above ground in Kuala Lumpur. The Shard in London consists of 87 storeys. There’s the most iconic building in the city of New York – the Empire State Building in NYC stands at 1,443 meters. And then there’s the world’s tallest – the Burj Khalifa in Dubai at 829.8 meters.
What is Burj Khalifa for Dubai
Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a remarkable economic feat attributed to their discovery of rich oil fields. To understand what Burj Khalifa is to Dubai, Will Nicol of Digital Trends offers An in-depth look at the Burj Khalifa: the tallest building in the world. Dubbed as the “City of Gold,” “this modern day El Dorado certainly seems like something out of myth,” writes Nicole. He continues:
“… Recognizing that oil wealth would only get them so far, the rulers of Dubai have spent lavishly on making the city a 21st century wonderland, designed to attract tourists the world over. Among Dubai’s many attractions are the world’s largest mall (where one can spend $1,000 to eat a gold-dipped cupcake), a series of artificial islands, and of course, the Burj Khalifa.”
For all intents and purposes, Dubai envisioned this lofty structure to be a global landmark and spectacle. It was, after all, a craftsmanship of the people behind the illustrious projects, such as Willis Tower and One World Trade Cente – the firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM). It was designed by no less than Adrian Smith.
An Amalgamation of Architectural Art and Technology
Burj Khalifa is a fine example of Neo-futurism, a contemporary architectural style that intends to exalt “the beauty of speed” and celebrate the humanity’s technological triumph. It creatively fuses technology into architectural art and uses simple and smooth linear and geometric designs. This is reflected in Burj Khalifa’s design that is reminiscent of a crystal sword shoved upward. It looks like a tower spiraling from the base to the thin minaret, resonating Islamic art and culture.
Beyond its lofty height and Neo-futurism, this structure is also an engineering spectacle with its unique “buttressed core.” This provides the support to the edifice’s enormous weight at such unmatched height. It consists of a central core and three wings that spread out like petals, allowing more light to enter.
The Tower is a Symbol
Burj Khalifa is a magnet to wealthy holidaymakers and guests. It has extraordinary features and amenities that offer unique experiences – sky lobbies with swimming pools, Armani Hotel, observation decks and observatories with a view of the towering Dubai Fountain, and the world’s highest nightclub and restaurant – making it among the most expensive and luxurious in the world.
As the world’s tallest structure, it is an iconic landmark that deserves a place in any traveler’s itinerary. Yet, Burj Khalifa is more than a tall building. It echoes the opulence of Dubai. It is also a symbol of the country’s growing prominence as a rich nation and an expression of its sheer wealth that can only be matched by the world’s most developed nations. While it may not hold the title as the world’s tallest building forever, it is for now. If you were to come and visit, enjoy the moment, the views and its numerous luxurious appeals.
