A building consultancy has been appointed as engineer/architect-of-record of The Tower in Dubai, which is set to soar 100 metres above the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest skyscraper.

Aurecon, which is headquartered in Australia and South Africa, said that it has been appointed to the $1 billion project, which is being developed by the Dubai Financial Market-listed Emaar Properties.

Work has started on the “iconic” structure, which is “set to become one of the world’s most recognisable buildings”, Aurecon said.

The skyscraper, being built at Dubai Creek Harbour, was designed by architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, who chose Aurecon for the work.

“The Calatrava team were looking to work directly with our experts who have had hands-on project experience on other supertall and similar mega projects. Not only were they assured of such a working arrangement, they were further impressed by our open, flexible and collaborative approach,” said Adrian Jones, Aurecon’s Project Director for The Tower.

“The Tower will test the craftsmanship of Aurecon as we play our part in making a mark on the built fabric of mankind… It is an absolute privilege to be entrusted by Santiago Calatrava and Emaar Properties to work on this project, and we have assembled a stellar team to bring this idea to life.”

The Tower will include an oval-shaped bud that will house ten observation decks, including The Pinnacle Room, which will offer 360-degree views of the city and beyond.

“It will also serve as a beacon of light at night, with a lighting system that will evoke the features of a flower bud, as it seemingly hovers atop the structure,” Aurecon said.

Design work for the project is already underway, with the timeframe for the work set at approximately four years, it added.

Emaar Properties chairman Mohamed Alabbar said earlier this month that The Tower will be 100 metres taller than the Burj Khalifa, which at 828 metres is currently the world’s tallest building.