German Architects Criticise Dubai Tower

7 January 2010 (Last Updated January 7th, 2010 18:30)

A group of German architects have criticised the newly unveiled 828m-high Burj Kalifa in Dubai, calling it ostentatious and excessive. The tower was branded an economically pointless symbol of prestige by Architect Meinhard von Gerkan. President of Germany's Architects Asso

A group of German architects have criticised the newly unveiled 828m-high Burj Kalifa in Dubai, calling it ostentatious and excessive.

The tower was branded an economically pointless symbol of prestige by Architect Meinhard von Gerkan.

President of Germany's Architects Association Christian Baumgart said the tower was a cautionary tale for builders in Europe.

"In Europe the emphasis is on refurbishing and upgrading existing buildings rather than building bigger ones," Baumgart told dw-word in Germany.