Burj Al Arab Hotel
Dubai's Burj Al Arab is symbolic of the growth and development taking place in the United Arab Emirates as well as the region's newfound flamboyance. The hotel is situated on its own man-made island off Jumerieh beach and boasts the world's only 7-star rating. Its ultra-modern design pays homage to Middle Eastern culture, imitating the sail of an Arabian boat, whilst the stunning interior is a classic integration of east meets west.
In designing this structure, engineers had to overcome a variety of interesting challenges, starting with the construction of an offshore island which took three years to complete. The island's foundations are supported by concrete piles that are held in place by friction created by sand and silt.
The building itself is a reinforced concrete tower wrapped in a steel exo-skeleton, which creates the inverted v-shaped span forming the hotel's sail, or dhow. The sail itself is made from Dyneon, a flexible plastic material which is coated in Teflon to provide heat and wind resistance.
Known as the world's tallest hotel, the Burj Al Arab has cemented itself as an iconic landmark in Dubai as well as the Middle East as a whole. Now a major tourist attraction, the 'Tower of the Arabs' is frequented by the ranks of the rich and famous and is an integral part of the city's intriguing persona.
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