# Burj Khalifa (DD-158)

> 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.

- Department: Locations (also Tech)
- First published: 2024-01-03
- Last updated: 2024-01-03
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/burj-khalifa/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **January 2010**: The Burj Khalifa opens

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=burj-khalifa

## Quick facts

- **DD-158-F01**: It's the world's tallest building at 828 m. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (828 m))_
- **DD-158-F02**: It stands in Dubai, UAE. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Dubai))_

## Write-up

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

1. **828 m**: It's the world's tallest building at 828 m.
2. **Dubai**: It stands in Dubai, UAE.
3. **Adrian Smith**: Adrian Smith designed it at SOM.
4. **2010**: It opened in January 2010.
5. **Setbacks**: Its setbacks reduce wind forces.

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## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

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

- Duration: 33.7 s · Published: 2024-01-03
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C1oDWQ4Ov1_.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: How tall is the Burj Khalifa?**  
A: 2,717 ft. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (828 m) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa)_

**Q: Where is it?**  
A: In the UAE. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Dubai) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa)_

**Q: Who designed it?**  
A: An American architect. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Adrian Smith) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa)_

**Q: When did it open?**  
A: In January. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (2010) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa)_

**Q: What do its setbacks do?**  
A: They confuse the wind. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Setbacks) · Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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/