LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/457513
32 Landscape Architect and Specifier News The Burj Khalifa is a celebration of rigorous design, construction, and, most of all, possibility. The 27-acre "green oasis" features plazas, gardens, pools and promenades in a human-scaled setting that grounds the world's tallest building. In the middle of an extreme desert climate, the landscape architects forged a new baseline for design achievement, while creating a lasting model of environmental efficiency and sensitivity. The story of the Burj Khalifa is well known. The tallest building in the world deserves an equally awe-inspiring setting. Unsurprisingly, designing such an iconic landscape was but one of many challenges. Not only did the landscape architects have to consider the significant subterranean infrastructure associated with a building that is over half a mile tall—indeed, 80 percent of the site design work is built on top of building structure, making the park akin to a giant green roof with limited soil depth— they also contended with an exceedingly harsh and hot desert environment. Rather than being seen as restrictions, however, these constraints enabled the designers to develop many innovative solutions that placed equal emphasis on aesthetic and technical achievement—a singular solution for this tremendously unique structure. Technical challenges were not the only complex issues this project raised. Pressing questions of sustainability were particularly important and every possible measure was taken to ensure that this landscape would Above At 163 floors and 2,717 feet tall (2,722 counting the tip), the Burj Khalifa ("Khalifa Tower") is the tallest building and man-made structure in the world, more than twice as tall as the Empire State Building, and 941 feet taller than 1 World Trade Center. An observation deck is at the 124-story level. "Khalifa" references Sheikh Khalifa, president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Emir of Abu Dhbai, one of the seven UAE emirates. The tower is in downtown Dubai. Dubai is the most populated (2.1 million) emirate of the UAE, although Abu Dhbai, the capitol, comprises 86.7 percent of the UAE's total area (excluding the islands). The building is owned by Emaar Properties. The tower architects were Skidmore, Owings and Merrill of Chicago, with Adrian Smith as chief architect, and William Baker as chief structural engineer. PhOTO: TOM FOx