Which architect designed the Burj Khalifa?

Adrian Smith designed the Burj Khalifa.

Smith was the chief architect for the skyscraper while working at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the Chicago-based firm responsible for the overall design. Structural engineer Bill Baker led the engineering work, so architecture and structural engineering are often credited separately.

The tower rose in Dubai between 2004 and 2009 and officially opened on January 4, 2010. Its three-winged, Y-shaped plan was inspired partly by the spider lily and helps reduce wind forces as the building climbs. The setbacks also create the tower’s distinctive spiraling profile.

A common mix-up is naming SOM rather than Smith: SOM is the architectural practice, while Adrian Smith is the individual architect most commonly identified with the design. The building was originally called Burj Dubai before its inauguration and remains famous for its 828-metre architectural height.