Many people who think (or write) a lot about architecture could care less. True, it’s just a tall, luxurious building with one purpose: to be a tall, luxurious building. It lacks richness. There’s no commentary. No story. Skidmore, Owings and Merrill has designed many of the world’s most recognizable skyscrapers (Lever House, Willis (ahem, Sears) Tower, Shanghai’s Jin Mao Tower), but they’re not a vital, progressive firm. And maybe there’s some truth to that. But there can, if very rarely, be merit in tall for tallness’ sake. Especially in Dubai, where the architectural context is outlandishness. I like that at some point someone at Emaar must’ve said, “Let’s build the tallest building in the world!” And someone else must’ve said, “Yes! Yes!” In 2009’s dirty-diaper world economy, the Burj Dubai is a welcomed slice of 2006.