Burj Dubai Residdential Tower

Our design for the Burj Dubai Residential Tower aims to create a distinctive building in Dubai to become an icon.
We have proposed therefore something which refuses the actual fashion of twisting and torting volumes without any meaning or reason: the building volume is very simple and its layout is generated by the need to maximize the views to the New Burj Dubai Tower.
We also wanted to create a building which was clearly related to the site and expression of the local architectural culture.
Highly integrated design strategies were also adopted.
The building has a very simple structural system: a central core concrete structure which provides for lateral stability and an external steel diamond structure; this allows a completely flexible floor plates which can be easily adaptable to all tenants needs.
An adaptable steel sun shading devices provide for sun protection as well reinterpreting in a very modern way the traditional Arab sunshade. This convey to the building an unique appearance.
The building is 65 floors high has communal facilities and public green spaces (sky gardens) at various intermediate floors which facilitate also natural ventilation. Al flats have a private rerrace.


Our integrated high performance sustainable design approach to the residential tower follows a well thought out five-step process to achieve a building that balances energy and water efficiency with superior thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort, and provides a road map to achieving a high LEED certification.

Step 1: Reduce Loads

The building has been sited and massed to take advantage of the climatic capital of Dubai, while maintaining superior views from the residences to the Burj Dubai. Load reduction strategies incorporated in to the project include: tuned, high performance glazing balancing daylight, views and solar/thermal performance; tuned solar control through the use of integrated shading devices; optimized insulation levels on non-glazed envelope elements; balance of solar absorbing and reflecting materials; use of EnergyStar rated appliances and equipment in the building; reduced lighting power density in appropriate areas; dual flush toilets and low flow plumbing fixtures are incorporated to preserve the precious water resource.

Step 2: Utilize Passive Opportunities

Numerous 'free' sources of energy such as sunlight, wind, and daily and seasonal climate cycles are utilized to naturally condition the building when appropriate. The naturally ventilated atrium providing sky garden-like transition amenity space spaces for residents; exposed internal thermal mass to take advantage of Dubai's diurnal temperature cycle; landscaped balcony treatments for passive cooling and solar shading; what little water falls on the site will be captured, filtered and reused for on-site landscape irrigation.

Step 3: Optimize Active Systems
By reducing loads and utilizing passive conditioning opportunities the building is fundamentally more efficient than a conventional building. The active systems that support peak cooling and lighting requirements are then optimized in terms of sizing and operation to further improve the building energy and water efficiency. High performance light fixtures and lamps are incorporated, along with low energy emergency light fixtures and exit signs; energy is recovered from exhaust air streams and transferred to ventilation air stream to reduce cooling load requirements; high efficiency fan coil units with energy conserving motors (ECM) provide comfort cooling to the residential units.

Step 4: Incorporate Renewable Energy
The building's demand for fossil fuel-based energy is further reduced by the incorporation of renewable energy, notably building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) built in to the window-wall system on the southern and western exposures, and building integrated wind turbines (BIWT) on the roof of the building.

Step 5: Divert Waste From Landfills
Through the well integrated high performance design, the building is fundamentally more efficient in terms of space planning and construction material efficiency, reducing the amount of material that ultimately ends up as a waste product. In addition, the building incorporates recycling systems for waste management purposes, and also recovers waste water from the air conditioning system cooling coils condensate for filtration and reuse as landscape irrigation.