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Burj Dubai: why does it have to go so high!?
Dubai is all about being the best, biggest, richest, poshest, greatest, hottest and having the longest, widest, highest, gaudiest, craziest...the list is endless. When I lived there, when we read the news on these new and upcoming 'superlative' projects, we would joke about how Dubai really is an architectural representation of the male ego -- constantly trying to prove who has got the biggest you-know-what. No offense intended.
Anyway, home to the world's first and only 7-star hotel, man-made islands in the shape of a palm and the world -- that can be seen from the moon (that's how they marketed the New Year's Eve bash in 2006: "be at the party that can be seen from the moon!" What a disaster it was!) -- Dubai is also battling to be home to the worlds tallest building with the construction of the Burj Dubai.
Construction began in 2004, and today the building stands at 585.7 meters. They haven't confirmed how high it's going to be, because they want to win the race. If they declare the height, they are afraid someone else may beat them to it.
I have a friend who works on the architectural team of the Burj. He tells me how scared he is about the construction of this monstrosity. See, the structure works on paper, but since it's aiming to be the tallest, its infrastructure has never been tested before.
What does that mean? They cannot foresee all consequences, so anything can happen; I see a danger flag. My friend says he will make sure he's on the first flight out once he finishes his job; he's not thrilled to be part of something so potentially dangerous.
Some of Dubai's kicks are just beyond me. I enjoyed living there, but I'm glad to be out.
Filed under: Emirates
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jon Oct 30th 2007 6:38PM
Dubai is nuts, it's like la-la land. When I was there I imagined it was how New York must have been in the 1920's, just silly money everywhere..
Everyone should visit!
Sheynk Oct 30th 2007 7:23PM
I disagree.
Take Tai Pei for instance. They didn't know if it would word off paper or not. They had to constantly innovate in order to get a structure of that height to be of that shape and resist the monsoon seasons. Just because its huge doesn't mean it won't work!
I assume that this building will have some sick elevator mechanisms and some interesting ventilation and water delivery systems. Its not like they are working on a super tight budget, they are just making the biggest.
Have faith in awesomeness (< really the best word ever)
Moody75 Oct 31st 2007 12:11AM
You are right, this project is unprecedented.
I mean no one would ever think of building, for example, a tunnel under the English Channel to connect Britain with France. Or a bridge to link Denmark to Sweden. Or perhaps a gambling resort in the middle of the Nevada desert. Or maybe a new airport for Hong Kong built on a man-made island. Why would people take chances and build something never tested before?
Abha, get a grip on yourself.
sunny Dec 25th 2007 6:24AM
Hey Abha,
What happened, missing great DUBAI.
Why does your friend take the first flight now.
I have firends working on this great challange and all are scarred too.. not that the building will fall down, but about their success dying soon as a new tower above the present tallest BURJ is already announced.
RELAX Miss. This ain't INDIA. Best of people work in DUBAI.