The triple-lobed footprint of Burj Dubai is based on an abstracted desert flower native to the region. The highest residential floor will be level 109. An observation deck will occupy the 124th floor.
The building was rotated 120 degrees to allow for less stress from the prevailing winds.
The building sits on a concrete and steel podium with 192 piles descending to a depth of more than 50 metres (164 feet). A total of 45,000 cubic metres of concrete are used in the foundations with a weight in excess of 110,000 tonnes. The exterior cladding is of reflective glazing with aluminium and textured stainless steel spandrel panels with vertical tubular fins of stainless steel. The cladding system is designed to withstand Dubai's extreme summer temperatures.
The Burj Dubai is the first world's tallest building since prehistoric times to include residential space.
The official height has not been released, and remains secret. The total height of 808 meters (2, 650 feet) is subject to change.
And now for the important bit: The towers primary window washing & facade and maintenance system consists of three permanently installed, track mounted, telescopic building maintenance machines located in internal garage postions on uppermost levels. The manned cleaning cradle for each machine is capable of serving the entire facade from its garage level downward to level seven.
Each machines jib arm when extended will have a reach of over 36 meters with an overal length of 45 meters. Under normal conditions, with all three units in operation it will take 3 to 4 months to clean the entire building once. There is a separate system for the tower spire including a mobile elevated work platform.
Source: By Robinson Solutions
