world tallest building 🏢

world tallest building

World Tallest Building : A Guide to the Sky-High Structures

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stand on top of the world? To see the horizon stretch out for miles and miles, and feel the wind in your hair? Well, you might not be able to do that literally, but you can get pretty close by visiting some of the world’s tallest buildings.

These are the structures that defy gravity and challenge engineering, reaching heights that were once unimaginable. They are not only impressive feats of architecture and design, but also symbols of human ambition and achievement.

But which building is the tallest of them all? How do we measure and compare them? And what are the stories behind their construction and function? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, as we take you on a tour of the world tallest building and its contenders.

What is the World Tallest Building?

The world tallest building, as of 2023, is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is a skyscraper that stands at a staggering 828 meters (2,717 feet), with 163 floors above ground and one below. It was completed in 2010, after six years of construction, and officially opened on January 4th of that year .

The Burj Khalifa is a mixed-use building that houses offices, residences, hotels, restaurants, observation decks, and other amenities. It is designed to resemble a desert flower called the Hymenocallis, with a three-lobed footprint and a central spire. It also incorporates elements of Islamic architecture, such as geometric patterns and arches .

The Burj Khalifa is not only the world tallest building, but also holds several other records, such as:

The highest occupied floor in the world (at 584.5 meters or 1,918 feet).

The highest outdoor observation deck in the world (at 555 meters or 1,821 feet).

The highest number of stories in the world (at 163).

The longest travel distance of an elevator in the world (at 504 meters or 1,654 feet) .

The Burj Khalifa is a marvel of engineering and technology, with features such as:

A complex structural system that consists of a reinforced concrete core, a steel frame, and a buttressed wall.

A sophisticated wind tunnel testing that ensures stability and safety in high winds.

A state-of-the-art mechanical system that regulates temperature, humidity, air quality, and water supply.

A smart lighting system that creates dynamic effects and reduces energy consumption1

The Burj Khalifa is also a cultural and economic landmark, attracting millions of visitors and tourists every year. It hosts various events and shows, such as fireworks, light shows, concerts, and art exhibitions. It also serves as a hub for business and innovation, hosting several multinational companies and organizations

How Do We Rank the World Tallest Buildings?

The Burj Khalifa may be the world tallest building according to one criterion, but there are other ways to measure and rank buildings. Depending on what aspect of height we consider, different buildings may come out on top.

The international non-profit organization Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) is the authority on defining and measuring tall buildings. It was formed in 1969 and announces the title of “The World’s Tallest Building” based on its standards. It also maintains a list of the 100 tallest completed buildings in the world3

The CTBUH uses four categories to rank buildings:

Height to architectural top: This is the height from the level of the lowest significant open-air pedestrian entrance to the highest architectural feature of the building. This includes spires, but excludes antennae, flagpoles, signage, or other functional equipment.

This is the height from the level of the lowest significant open-air pedestrian entrance to the floor level of the highest occupied floor within the building.

Height to tip: This is the height from the level of the lowest significant open-air pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building. This includes antennae, flagpoles, signage, or other functional equipment.

Height to roof: This is the height from the level of the lowest significant open-air pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the roof. This excludes any equipment or structure above it.

According to these categories, different buildings may claim different titles. For example:

The Burj Khalifa is still the tallest by height to architectural top (828 meters or 2,717 feet) and height to tip (829.8 meters or 2,722 feet), but not by height to highest occupied floor (584.5 meters or 1,918 feet) or height to roof (672 meters or 2,205 feet).

The Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China, is the second tallest by height to architectural top (632 meters or 2,073 feet) and height to tip (632 meters or 2,073 feet), but the tallest by height to highest occupied floor (587.4 meters or 1,927 feet).

The Makkah Royal Clock Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the third tallest by height to architectural top (601 meters or 1,972 feet) and height to tip (601 meters or 1,972 feet), but the second tallest by height to highest occupied floor (589.4 meters or 1,934 feet) and the tallest by height to roof (595.7 meters or 1,954 feet)

As you can see, ranking the world tallest buildings is not as straightforward as it may seem. There are different ways to measure and compare them, and each one has its own merits and drawbacks. The CTBUH tries to be fair and consistent in its criteria, but there may still be some controversies and debates over the results.

What Are the Other Contenders for the World Tallest Building?

The Burj Khalifa may be the world tallest building for now, but it may not hold that title for long. There are several other buildings that are either under construction or planned that may surpass it in the near future.

Some of these buildings are:

Jeddah Tower: This is a skyscraper that is being built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is expected to be completed by 2024, and reach a height of at least 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), with 167 floors. It will be a mixed-use building that will house offices, residences, hotels, malls, observation decks, and a sky terrace. It will also have a spire that will extend .

Dubai Creek Tower: This is a tower that is being built in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is expected to be completed by 2025, and reach a height of around 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), with an unknown number of floors. It will be an observation tower that will offer panoramic views of the city and the creek. It will also have a slender design that resembles a minaret, with cables supporting its structure.

Sky City: This is a skyscraper that is being planned in Changsha, China. It is expected to be completed by 2026, and reach a height of 838 meters (2,749 feet), with 220 floors. It will be a residential building that will house around 30,000 people. It will also have a modular design that will allow it to be built quickly and cheaply.

These are just some of the examples of the buildings that may challenge the Burj Khalifa for the title of the world tallest building. There may be more projects that are yet to be announced or revealed. The race for the sky is not over yet.

Conclusion

The world tallest building is a fascinating topic that showcases human ingenuity and aspiration. It is also a dynamic and evolving field that reflects the changes and trends in society and technology.

The Burj Khalifa is currently the world tallest building by most measures, but it may soon be overtaken by other contenders. The CTBUH is the authority on defining and ranking tall buildings, but there are different ways to measure and compare them.

We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about the world tallest building and its rivals. If you want to see more articles like this one, please let us know in the comments below.

Thank you for reading!