Burj Khalifa’s architecture has embodied references to Islamic architecture and reflects the modern global community it is designed to serve. The building’s “Y” shaped plan provides the maximum amount of perimeter for windows in living spaces without developing internal unusable area. As the tapering tower rises, setbacks occur at the ends of each “wing” in an upward spiraling pattern that decreases the mass of the tower as the height increases. These setbacks were modeled in the wind tunnel to minimize wind forces.

With over 3 million square feet of interior space designed for Burj Khalifa, planning of the building’s interiors began at the earliest stages of its design. The design team worked towards attaining three main goals - to recognize and acknowledge the building’s height, to integrate its structural and architectural rationale, and to appreciate the locale’s heritage, history and culture. Inspired by the influences of the building’s technological accomplishments and the region, the design is carefully woven into a classically modern and timeless statement.

The interiors of the uppermost floors are designed to reflect celestial influences, while the lower floors are inspired by natural elements. Sustainable features include Sky Sourced Ventilation, Condensate Recovery System, High Performance Glazing, High Voltage Distribution, Electronic Metering, Smart Lighting and Mechanical and Stack Effect Controls.