? First batch of curtain wall glass panels installed on Level 19
? Total area of glass to be used equivalent to 17 football fields
? High-performance cladding material employed
Dubai, UAE - Burj Dubai, on course to becoming the world's tallest tower, is taking its final shimmering form as installation of curtain wall glass panels commenced on Level 19 of the super-structure developed by Emaar Properties. 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.
-Ends-
About Emaar Properties PJSC
Emaar Properties PJSC is one of the world's largest real estate companies and is rapidly evolving to become a global provider of premier lifestyles. Powered by its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world, Emaar is charting a new course of growth with a two-pronged strategy of geographical expansion and business segmentation.
Replicating its successful business model in Dubai, Emaar is extending its expertise in creating master-planned communities to international markets. Emaar is also developing new competencies in retail, hospitality and leisure, education, healthcare, finance and industry, which have evolved from its integrated approach to customer service and property development.
Listed on the Dubai Financial Market, part of the Dow Jones Arabia Titans Index and certified to ISO9001:2000 for quality standards, Emaar is developing Burj Dubai, on its way to become the world's tallest tower, and The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations. In Saudi Arabia, Emaar is developing King Abdullah Economic City, the region's largest private sector-led project. Emaar's portfolio currently covers the following countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Libya, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, the US, the UK, France and Canada.
An award-winning developer, Emaar has strengthened its product sale competencies, market reach and best practices through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. Emaar acquired John Laing Homes, America's second largest privately held home builder; Hamptons International, UK's premier realtor; and formed a joint venture with US-based Turner International to strengthen execution capabilities.
Emaar has joined hands with Giorgio Armani and Accor Hotels to strengthen its presence in hospitality, and will launch ten luxury Armani resorts and hotels world-wide and 100 Formule 1 budget hotels in India. The company is opening educational institutions and healthcare centres in South Asia, Middle East and North Africa and the Subcontinent. Emaar acquired Singapore-based leading education provider, Raffles Campus, to extend expertise to its educational institutions.
Emaar holds 30 per cent equity in Dubai Bank, focused on retail and commercial banking. Emaar is also the largest shareholder in Amlak Finance, UAE's leading Islamic home financing company. For more information, visit www.emaar.com.
For further information, please contact:
Kelly Home / Nivine William
ASDA'A Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman PR Worldwide in Middle East & North Africa
Tel: (+971 4) 335 5969; Fax: (+971 4) 335 6080
E-mail: k.home@asdaa.com, n.william@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2007
