Architectural Analysis: Comparing Burj Khalifa and Centre Pompidou

This essay provides an architectural comparison between the Burj Khalifa and the Centre Pompidou, highlighting their unique features and design philosophies. The Burj Khalifa, known for its height and modern construction techniques, employs a "buttressed-core" system and advanced materials to withstand environmental challenges. In contrast, the Centre Pompidou, designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, emphasizes flexible spatial forms and exposes its structural elements, reflecting post-modern architectural principles. While Burj Khalifa focuses on pragmatic and technological advancements, Centre Pompidou paved the way for innovative and imaginative building designs. The essay concludes that both buildings represent significant milestones in architectural history, each contributing uniquely to the evolution of modern architecture.

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Architectural milestones are coupled with dream and creativity that gifted a number of
buildings and sculptural figures focusing on the aesthetic features of the architectural design. It
can be argued that the features of the modern architecture are based on more technological
specifications and creative elements. In this context, this essay is going to discuss the
architectural advancement of Burj Khalifa and its comparison to another architectural cult the
Centre Pompidou.
As far as the Burj khalifa is concerned, the building is not only popular for its tallest
structure rather the architectural excellence is also considered to be a subject of further study.
The materials and construction technologies and the building system are identified one of the
greatest mechanisms that one can dream of. The Burj Khalifa has more than 160 storeys and
locates outside downtown of Dubai. The spiral growth with the tri-axial geometry can easily be
seen in the outer architectural se up of Burj Khalifa (Guo, Kwon, & Kareem, 2015). The
founding elements of the architecture is comprised with the steel spire, housing communication
and the mechanical floors that facilitate a more unique feature to the architecture of Burj Khalifa.
As a matter of fact, there is the “Y” shaped basement of the tower that response to the wind. The
“Y” shaped floor plan is not only encompasses an aesthetic feature rather it is also fostered
functional advantages like a high-performance efficient structure (Baker & Pawlikowski, 2015).
This system is popularly known as the “buttressed-core” and consists of high-performance
concrete wall construction. As a matter of fact, each of the wings buttresses the others with a
hexagonal hub. Moreover, this central core helps to foster resistance to the structure with a
gravity load resisting system.

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However, in case of comparing it with the Centre Pompidou it can be argued that both the
buildings are known for their unique architectural excellence. There is no such comparison
should be derived on the basis of the aesthetic differences. Nevertheless, there are some clear and
evident distinctions between the architectural mechanisms. It can be asserted that the Centre
Pompidou was more focused on the spatial forms in terms of flexible spaces where as the Burj
Khalifa is more like a complex architectural giant. It can be seen that the designers of Centre
Pompidou, Renezo Piano and Richard Rogers had a deep influence of the previous works done
by Cedric Price in 1960 (Baliński & Januszkiewicz, 2016). In fact, the most important aspect of
the Centre Pompidou can be identified as its exposing skeletons of the building. This is
considered to be the foundation of post-modern architectural paradigm (Puddu, 2018). The inside
out feature made the building a milestone in the history of architecture. On the other hand, the
Burj Khalifa facilitated the use of technology to a great extent by establishing it on the bundled
tube design. One of the major challenges that the building would faced in course of the
construction was the huge vibration and pressure of desert winds. Therefore, the architects used
27 setbacks in spiral pattern (Baker & Pawlikowski, 2015).
In a conclusion, it can be argued that the architecture of Burj Khalifa is considered to
formulate on more pragmatic and technological advancement, keeping in mind about the natural
calamities and the aesthetics of modern day architectural design. However, the Centre Pompidou
paved the way for the modern buildings to think beyond imagination.

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Reference
Baker, B., & Pawlikowski, J. (2015). The Design and Construction of the World's Tallest
Building: The Burj Khalifa, Dubai. Structural Engineering International, 25(4), 389-394.
Baliński, G., & Januszkiewicz, K. (2016). Digital Tectonic Design as a New Approach to
Architectural Design Methodology. Procedia engineering, 161, 1504-1508.
Guo, Y., Kwon, D. K., & Kareem, A. (2015). Near-real-time hybrid system identification
framework for civil structures with application to Burj Khalifa. Journal of Structural
Engineering, 142(2), 04015132.
Puddu, S. (2018). Davide Ponzini and Michele Nastasi 2016: Starchitecture: Scenes, Actors, and
Spectacles in Contemporary Cities . New York: The Monacelli Press. International
Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 42(1), 172-173.