Burj Dubai: an architectural technical design case study

Abstract

AbstractBeyond the aesthetics of the architectural design, the realization of Burj Dubai is very much a technical design effort. Every system in the Tower must be optimized because of the physical and economic constraints of a super high rise building. It is the intent of this paper to discuss the SOM design teams' approach in conceptualizing, investigating and resolving several of these technical topics outlined as follows.As an introduction; the aesthetic, functional and structural advantages of Burj Dubai's tri‐axial ‘Y’ shaped plan, suggested by the ‘desert flower’, are discussed. Following that, the vertical stacking of the Tower's mixed use program is described and likened to a small, vertically arranged, city containing residences, places of work, hotels, restaurants, retail shops, amusement areas, revenue generating lease areas. The arrangement of the various functions has been rationalized along with the means and methods of transportation of people, energy, goods and materials. From the standpoint of fire and life safety; Burj Dubai has been designed with additional features in order to compensate for challenges it presents to occupant evacuation and fire fighting. Specialist wind tunnel tests were conducted not only for structural reasons, but also to asses the effectiveness of wind mitigation measures on the accessible terraces. The high outdoor temperature in Dubai and cool indoor condition create a difference in air density that makes the indoor air want to travel downward out the bottom of the building. This ‘stack effect’ was the subject of a separate study, the results of which were applied to the design. Finally, the author discusses SOM's approach to the design of the exterior wall cladding and cleaning systems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.