Burj Vista, Dubai UAE

By: Alejandro Stochetti, CannonDesign

Burj Vista was a great opportunity to continue work on Dubai’s Downtown area and its boulevard. As Senior Designer at SOM, I had the pleasure of working with Adrian Smith in the iconic, Burj Khalifa, that re-defined Dubai and its region. After joining the new company Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill architecture, I was engaged as the leader of this project. My experience in Buenos Aires and SOM with theater design inspired the idea to provide this new project with a “theatrical” experience of the tallest building in the world. Every residential unit includes a “viewing room” free of all obstructions and with tilted glass.

Burj Vista - towards Burj Khalifa — **Burj Vista – towards Burj Khalifa**

Burj Vista view from Boulevard This proved to be great for the developer, which could enhance the market value of its unit but also for the residents, that could count with a distinct feature of their living spaces. It also includes an outdoor area – a terrace – to enjoy intimate vistas of the beautiful tower, lagoon and the park below. I have always intended to provide every project with its particular feature. It is a memorable unique character. The building’s mass geometry and materiality were conceived to respond to its solar orientation and views. Towards the west and southwest, the building includes GFRC panels and small vertical openings. Towards the view of the tower, the glass panels tilt down to reduce direct solar radiation enhancing comfort and reducing cooling loads. Towards the south, a solid GFRC panel protects the units from direct solar radiation.

Burj Vista is a clear example of architecture expressing its function, its user experience goals and its building performance. The building form and façade articulation and materiality adjust to enhance its performance on every distinct orientation and view corridor. The views from the ground are also breathtaking. Burj Khalifa reflects on each of the viewing rooms, engaging in a unique and intimate and choreographed experience.

Quick Facts:
• Project: Burj Vista
• Location: Dubai UAE
• Client: Emaar Properties
• Architect: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
• Commencement Date: 2007
• Completion Date: 2018

Alejandro Stochetti, CannonDesign

Senior Vice president

Ar. Alejandro Stochetti, AIA, is building an impressive body of international work in all scales and typologies. Alejandro has been a design leader in a wide variety of projects, from the mega-tall Jeddah Tower to Astana Expo 2017 and Al Wasl Plaza in the heart of Expo 2020 Dubai. His built projects include residential, commercial, and cultural typologies. He has lectured, written and published internationally on topics that include “Form Follows Performance”, “The Challenges of a Supertall Building” and many others. Before joining CannonDesign, Alejandro was Director of Design at AS+GG, and Senior Designer at Skidmore Owings & Merrill, where he was involved with many other projects, including the design of Burj Khalifa. His experience includes work in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and North and South America.