About Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa, known as the Burj Dubai prior to its inauguration in 2010, is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the tallest man-made structure in the world, at 829.8 meters (2,722 ft). The building broke numerous height records, including standing as the tallest building in the world and the tallest free-standing structure in the world.
Designed by Adrian Smith, of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, 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 optimize residential and hotel space. A buttressed central core and wings are used to support the height of the building. The structure also features a cladding system which is designed to withstand Dubai's hot summer temperatures.
The tower was named in honor of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Abu Dhabi and the UAE government lent Dubai money to pay its debts. The building has received immense critical reception and has become a global icon of the new Middle East, shifting the spotlight from oil wealth to architectural innovation and tourism.
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