burj al arab

Background

The Burj Al Arab is the world’s first 7* hotel, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Standing at an impressive 321 meters, it is the 3rd tallest hotel in the world and is situated on an artificial island 280 meters from Jumeirah beach. The design was inspired by the wind-filled sails of a traditional Arabic Dhow (trading ship). With its helipad on the 28th floor and a 1,000 square meter restaurant seemingly suspended in mid-air, the hotel has already become an international icon on the Dubai horizon.

Scope

Designed by Tom Wright of WKK architects, the design and construction were managed by Canadian engineer Rick Gregory of WS Atkins. To meet the specifications of this iconic project, the finest materials were sourced, including RAK Ceramics’ Travertine Series which was chosen for the flooring throughout the hotel. Featuring heat, frost, thermal shock, scratch, and stain resistance, Travertine Series offered a perfect solution in terms of quality and design. Its natural stone appearance blended beautifully with the hotel interiors while its durability made it ideal for use in such a high traffic area.

Result

The Burj Al Arab is an iconic landmark of the modern Dubai skyline. Quality, aesthetic appeal and long term durability were crucial factors for the architects in choosing the products and materials they used. RAK Ceramics’ Travertine Series met all the requirements. In addition, RAK Ceramics’ ability to produce the large quantities of tiles required in a quick timeframe meant that Burj Al Arab saved a significant amount of time and money during the construction phase.