Burj Khalifa TowerClick on this video link to get a view of the Tower from different perspectives. Make a note of what the base of the tower looks like.

http://youtu.be/16BFrEBZQS4

Burj Khalifa TowerThis is an overhead view of the base of the Tower. You can see three main wings to the structure.

Burj Khalifa TowerThis design was inspired by this desert flower, a relative of the tiger lily. You can see two congruent forms similar to the base of the tower.

Burj Khalifa TowerLike the flower, the Tower has rotational symmetry. If you rotate the shape 120°, you end up with the same shape you started with.

Burj Khalifa TowerWe can overlay a hexagon over the flower. The hexagon also has rotational symmetry.

Burj Khalifa TowerHere you can see that if you rotate the hexagon 60°, you end up with the same shape. (We’ve highlighted one of the hexagon sides to more easily see the rotation.)

Burj Khalifa TowerThe Burj Khalifa is in the United Arab Emirates, an Islamic country. Throughout its history, Islamic art uses hexagons and other composite shapes with rotational symmetry.

Burj Khalifa TowerGo to to Google Maps to become more familiar with the Burj Khalifa Tower. Look at the views from the Tower and the various views of the Tower.

Burj Khalifa TowerUsing the metaphor of the flower, the Burj Khalifa is a desert bloom, a symbol of a vibrant economy in the Arabian Peninsula.