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Burj Khalifa

Short answer: The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is the world's tallest building at 828 m (2,717 ft). It was designed by Adrian Smith while at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), and it opened in January 2010.

Its Y-shaped plan and spiraling setbacks are partly inspired by Islamic architecture and a regional desert flower, and they help 'confuse the wind' by stopping organized vortices from forming. The exterior is clad in reflective glass and aluminum and textured stainless steel panels. The footage shows the tower from the air and from below, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources

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What should you know about Burj Khalifa?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. It's the world's tallest building at 828 m.

    DD-158-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (828 m)

  2. It stands in Dubai, UAE.

    DD-158-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Dubai)

Video transcript: Burj Khalifa: The Burj Khalifa's Setbacks Help Break up the Wind

The Burj Khalifa located in United Arab Emirates is the tallest building in the world. DID YOU KNOW? Standing at a staggering height of 828 meters or 2,717 the Burj Khalifa was completed in 2010. It is an extraordinary feat of engineering and architectural design. Designed by the renowned architect Adrian Smith of the architectural firm SOM the Burj Khalifa features a sleek modern design inspired by Islamic architecture. It has a stepped tier structure that narrows as it rises with setbacks that reduce wind forces on the building. The tower is clad in reflective glass and aluminum. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 33.7s Reel ·

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Burj Khalifa: The Burj Khalifa's Setbacks Help Break up the Wind Instagram Reel · · 33.7s

The write-up

The Burj Khalifa's setbacks help break up the wind. At 828 m, it's the world's tallest building.

  1. Exhibit A

    828 m

    It's the world's tallest building at 828 m.

  2. Exhibit B

    Dubai

    It stands in Dubai, UAE.

  3. Exhibit C

    Adrian Smith

    Adrian Smith designed it at SOM.

  4. Exhibit D

    2010

    It opened in January 2010.

  5. Exhibit E

    Setbacks

    Its setbacks reduce wind forces.

Questions people ask about Burj Khalifa

How tall is the Burj Khalifa?

2,717 ft.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (828 m) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

Where is it?

In the UAE.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Dubai) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

Who designed it?

An American architect.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Adrian Smith) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

When did it open?

In January.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (2010) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

What do its setbacks do?

They confuse the wind.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Setbacks) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. How tall is the Burj Khalifa?

    1. 828 m
    2. 443 m
    3. 330 m
    4. 1,000 m
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 828 m 2,717 ft. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (828 m) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

  2. Where is it?

    1. Dubai
    2. Doha
    3. Riyadh
    4. Cairo
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Dubai In the UAE. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Dubai) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

  3. Who designed it?

    1. Adrian Smith at SOM
    2. Gustave Eiffel
    3. William F. Lamb
    4. Zaha Hadid
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Adrian Smith at SOM An American architect. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Adrian Smith) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

  4. When did it open?

    1. 2010
    2. 1999
    3. 2020
    4. 1931
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. 2010 In January. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (2010) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

  5. What do its setbacks do?

    1. Reduce wind forces
    2. Hold water
    3. Generate power
    4. Nothing
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Reduce wind forces They confuse the wind. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Setbacks) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Burj Khalifa." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-158, last updated Jan 3, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/burj-khalifa/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/burj-khalifa/ · Last updated

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Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-158-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/burj-khalifa/#DD-158-F01

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