Jessica Liszewski
Blog Post 5
http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/burj-al-arab/402
The Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was designed by famous architect, Tom Wright, in 1993. The project broke ground in 1994 on an artificial island constructed by large rocks and concrete and the building was officially opened 5 years later in 1999. It was opened as the worlds first 7-star hotel and tallest hotel.
It was inspired by the shape of a sail boat that was headed into the Persian Gulf. Two “wings” spread in a V to form a vast “mast”, while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium. When it was designed, the Burj Al Arab held the worlds tallest atrium stretching 182 meters into the interior of the building. The atrium was strategically aligned to the buildings south edge and is separated from the outside by a glass fiber screen and attached via a network of steel cables. The screen was designed to limit solar heat while still allowing light to diffuse through. The hotel reaches 321 meters into the air with a helipad located on the very top. The 56 floors of the hotel hold 202 rooms, 18 elevators, and 6 restaurants to accommodate the guests.
Source: http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/burj-al-arab/402
