Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, completed in 2010. It is the world's tallest building.
Buttressed core: A structural system in which a central core is supported by wings that brace one another against lateral forces. The tower's Y-shaped plan uses this system to resist wind while supporting its height.
Emaar Properties: A Dubai-based real-estate development company founded in 1997. Emaar developed the tower as the centerpiece of Downtown Dubai.
At the Top, Burj Khalifa: The Burj Khalifa's observation experience, with public viewing areas on upper floors. Its observation decks make the tower a major destination for visitors.
Jeddah Tower: A skyscraper under construction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, planned to exceed one kilometer in height. It is designed to surpass the Burj Khalifa as the world's tallest building.
Supertall building: A building at least 300 meters tall, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. The Burj Khalifa's scale makes it a landmark example of this class.
Wind engineering: The study and design of structures to withstand wind forces and limit wind-induced motion. Wind shaped the tower's setbacks, form, and structural design.
Downtown Dubai: A mixed-use district in Dubai centered on major commercial, residential, and tourist destinations. The tower anchors this development district, built alongside its construction.
Armani Hotel Dubai: A luxury hotel occupying floors of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The tower incorporates hotel spaces designed in collaboration with Giorgio Armani.
Shanghai Tower: A 632-meter skyscraper in Shanghai, China, completed in 2015. It is the world's second-tallest completed building, far below the Burj Khalifa's height.
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat: An international organization that studies tall buildings and establishes widely used height criteria. Its measurement standards help define the tower's height records.