A superb tower has been inaugurated with a spectacular opening ceremony 4 january 2010 in the United Arab Emirates: Burj Chalifa which has been known as Burj Dubai until now. Built by Emaar Properties, the tower is now the tallest building in the world and stands over 828 metres high. The tower features the “barrel” that is made by German manufacturer, Duravit. In the last 20 years, this bathroom manufacturer with headquarters in Hornberg in the Black Forest has successfully pursued an explicit design strategy and, in collaboration with high-profile names such as Philippe Starck, Sieger Design and Lord Norman Foster, has developed bathroom and wellness products that stand out not only on the strength of their unusual design but also their good value for money. “We offer everything in bathroom design, ranging from jeans to dinner jacket”, says Mr. Asutosh Shah, Managing Director of Duravit India Private Limited. The “barrel” is a vanity unit designed for Duravit by Philippe Starck in 1994. He was inspired by primitive forms, such as the washing bowl, bucket, hand pump and nail. Over the years, the “Starck barrel” has become Duravit’s best-selling item of bathroom furniture and it is now moving into the luxury skyscraper. Duravit has delivered more than 1,000 barrels to Dubai, as well as almost 4,000 WCs and bidets and more than 1,600 baths and whirltubs. “This very pleasing contract is worth millions”, states Franz Kook, Management Board Chairman of Duravit. A complete service that will doubtlessly open more doors and perhaps also a few more towers for the German bathroom manufacturer.