Burj Dubai - Tallest Buildings

Living in Dubai, I’m used to seeing amazing architectural structures every day. Even so, some of the designs featured in this great little review of skyscrapers are breathtaking (http://www.slate.com/id/2139722/). There is a great image of the 45-story residential tower proposed for Dubai by Ali Rahim and Hina Jamelle., an example of “Digital architecture.

Burj Dubai is conspicuous in its absence, although it seems to be all over the internet at the moment:

(Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_the_painter/1517577107/)

A number of blogs and websites are carrying stories about the building breaking the record for the world’s tallest freestanding structure. The tower is now more than 555 metres (1,831.5 feet) tall and has surpassed the 553-metre (1,824.9-feet) CN Tower in Toronto, Canada, which has held the record for the world's tallest free-standing structure since 1976. More than 320,800 cubic metres of reinforced concrete and 63,300 tonnes of reinforcing steel have been used in the tower's construction so far, and developers Emaar Properties has opted not to disclose the tower's final projected height. Apparently, they have the ability to add on more floors at a later date to ensure that the tower retains its record-braking status!

Everyone seems to be forgetting the Petronius Platform, a deepwater oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a massive 609.9 meters (2,001 feet) high. Some people would say that this is the tallest free-standing structure in the world, although only 75 meters of the platform are above water!

(Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccgd/50315379/)

I know where I’d rather live!