Burj Dubai takes on a shimmering glass facade

Burj Dubai is currently over 125 floors tall and one of the five tallest structures in the world.

"The structure of Burj Dubai is progressing on schedule and, now, with the start of the curtain wall installation, the finishing works will proceed at full speed. With the tower's façade being put in place the elegant shape and form as envisaged in the architectural design will become reality," said Mr Greg Sang, Assistant Director - Projects, Emaar Properties. "The contractors have put in place an accelerated programme to fabricate and install the panels, which will enable the on-schedule completion of the tower."

Al Ghurair Construction Industries, representing the contractor Arabian Aluminium Company, and Hong Kong-based Far East Aluminium Works, their joint venture partner, started the cladding work, which lends an elegant glass façade for the tower.

The first batch of cladding comprises 25 panels specially fabricated using advanced engineering techniques and air-freighted to Dubai. Made of high-performance materials, the curtain wall will enhance the building's distinctive appearance and seal the interior from the external heat, wind, moisture, and noise.

"The start of curtain wall installation on Burj Dubai, ahead of our schedule, has been a challenging task and memorable achievement for us," said Bashar Kayali, General Manager, Arabian Aluminium Company. "This accomplishment will power us to undertake the rest of the work at an accelerated pace."

Senior executives of Emaar Properties; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); Turner Construction - International; Hyder Consulting Middle East Ltd, ALT Cladding Inc; Samsung Corporation; Arabian Aluminium Co and Far East Aluminium Works Co Ltd attended the installation ceremony.

The installation works are undertaken through a judicious blend of advanced engineering techniques and hands-on practicality. The cladding panels are first loaded onto the installation floors before being moved into position using small cranes. The panels will be finally hung using a series of monorails every 30 to 40 storeys. The total area of the cladding will be equivalent to 17 football fields (25 American soccer fields).

The façade is designed as a factory-assembled panelized system, ensuring the units are put together with a high degree of accuracy and consistency. Each panel is factory glazed, sealed and prepared for site installation. The precise engineering of the custom design ensures the repetitive manufacture of the over 22,000 units required will be of the highest quality, while enabling rapid fabrication and installation.

The cladding will be cleaned using an advanced window washing and façade maintenance system consisting of twelve permanently-installed, track-mounted, telescopic building maintenance machines located in internal garages at the tower's mechanical zones.

The manned cleaning cradles of the machines will be capable of serving the entire facade from its garage level downward to level 5 with jib arm lengths when fully extended of over 20 metres.

Burj Dubai is at the heart of Downtown Burj Dubai, an AED 73 billion (US$20 billion) mixed-use project featuring residences, commercial space, hospitality projects and several retail outlets including The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations.