The work on the interiors of Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties, is progressing alongside the tower’s exterior cladding.

Currently over 800 metres high, the tower’s interiors are an aesthetic confluence of the best of the architectural influences from around the world and the region, said a top Emaar official.

Complementing the external architecture of the tower that is inspired by the geometries of the desert flower Hymenocalis and regional patterning systems, the interior design of Burj Dubai was conceptualised and led by award-winning designer Nada Andric of Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).

Andric is a globally acknowledged and award-winning interior designer credited with interior design of several design projects and large-scale architecture.

While designing, Andric worked towards attaining two main purposes - to recognize and acknowledge the building’s epoch marking height, its structural and architectural rationale and challenges; and to appreciate the location and region’s heritage, history and culture.

Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, said: 'Burj Dubai is a once in a lifetime architectural accomplishment and is the Arab world’s tribute to the art and science of modern engineering and design.'

'A global icon that draws on international engineering expertise, Burj Dubai will symbolize the aesthetic unison of many cultures – from Arabia and the rest of the world,' he commented.

“The interiors place a special focus on the region’s heritage and geographical location in its design approach and selection of materials. The design emphasizes on the best results in space planning and utilization alongside the finest detailing, to give residents and visitors an unprecedented lifestyle experience,” Alabbar added.

Andric’s design approach was not to take literal, stereotypical translations for the region’s cultural influences but to turn to scholarship to develop the vocabulary inspired by the region’s history cultural understanding of the heritage of the Arabic world and its interpretation into spatial elements, the right selection of materials and a concerted effort to blend the traditional motifs and patterns with modernity.

Apart from glass, stainless steel and polished dark stones, the interiors of Burj Dubai also feature Silver Travertine flooring, Venetian stucco walls, handmade rugs, stone flooring and dark, intricate Brazilian Santos Rosewood to reflect shelter, comfort, and above all, restrained luxury.

Surfaces on the upper floors will be advanced in finishes of silver metallic lacquers to provide a sense of brightness and enlightenment.

Commissioned local and international fine art pieces will be thoughtfully integrated across the interiors of tower to complete the atmosphere of ultimate refinement.

'Burj Dubai’s interiors are mindful of the building’s prominent international address and its true purpose as home to a number of people, while being inspired by the fascinating local culture and the challenge of enhancing the value of a global landmark,' Andric explained.

'This unique approach is reflected in all aspects from careful planning of all the public areas, the subliminal reference to free flowing Arabic script, colours and materials and the implementation with an aim to showcase global technology and human achievement,' she added.

'For the interiors, the highly edited colour and material palette is inspired by the region’s fine sand and the tradition of pearl harvesting, which are offset by the indigenous dark hues of wood,' she pointed out.

'The layouts for the common areas of the tower have been inspired by cursive Arabic writing as rooms flow elegantly in an intelligent interplay of light and shadow,' Andric added.

A mixed-use tower featuring the world’s first Ar