Day 26 - Achievements

"Great buildings that move the spirit have always been rare. In every case, they are unique, poetic, products of the heart." Arthur Erickson

Some buildings or architectural ruins, sculptural or art works, or some natural features are so popular that people associate that building or a feature with a particular place. Those features become the landmark or icons. For example, the Opera house reminds you of Sydney, the Eiffel tower reminds you of Paris, the Statue of Liberty is associated with New York and the Taj Mahal is associated with Agra. Similarly, Dubai has its unique skyline which is made iconic by the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa. When I first landed in Dubai many years back, a good-natured friend just asked me how I felt about Dubai. I didn't know much about the city then but when I think about the places I have visited, Burj Al Arab stands apart. I have always admired this structure. Visible from far away it looks spectacularly white during the daytime while in the night it transforms into a vibrant display of colors. When it was built in 1999, it accumulated many records, as it was the highest (321m), the most luxurious (7 stars), and one of the most expensive hotel in the world. This impressive structure stands on an artificial island 300 metres from the coast. Designed by Architect Tom Wright, the tower resembles the Arabian dhow sail and is a tribute to the nation's seafaring heritage. It stands on an artificial island 280 meters away from the beach, connected to the mainland only by a curvilinear path.

Whatever I write about this iconic tower, it will not be enough. But here I present some facts that I found while researching about Burj Al Arab:

• The height of the atrium 180 metres - one of the tallest in the world.
• If one man was to build this structure it would take him 8,000 years to finish it.
• During the day, the hotel's public area relies solely on natural daylight.
• The diagonal trusses on the side of the building are as long as a football pitch and weigh as much as 20 double-decker buses.
• You need to walk up to 1080 steps to reach the 27th floor of Burj Al Arab
• It takes one full month, 19 people, plus the rope access team to clean the windows of the whole building.
• The building's external lighting scheme changes every 30 minutes from white to multi-colored.
• It is the world's tallest structure with membrane facade (made of white Teflon-coated fiberglass cloth).

Apart from the above facts, the Burj Al Arab has grabbed attention many a times for the following reasons:

• In March 2004, Tiger Woods became the first golfer to tee off from the property's iconic 27th storey helipad, 212 metres up.
• In 2005, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer played a practise match on the landing space ahead of the men's Dubai Duty-Free Tennis championship.
• In 2011, Rory McIlroy followed in Tiger's footsteps and teed off from the same spot.
• In 2013, David Coulthard performed a series of doughnuts in Infiniti Red Bull Racing's 750bhp Formula One car.

The impressive Burj Al Arab along with the incredible achievements of the above-mentioned people only reminds me of the words by Napolean Hill: "The starting point of all achievements is desire." Behind great achievements lie true desire, ample sacrifices, and steady planning. So if you wish to achieve something great, don't say 'I wish' but say 'I will'. 

Have a fabulous morning.