The top three floors of Palestra are cantilevered out above what is a glass slab creating a distinctive look, further enlivened on the floors of the main slab by bright yellow cladding panels between the full height glazing.
In turn, this lower slab is also cantilevered 6 metres above pavement level as to let the public realm expand around the building base with white vertical columns marking the building perimeter. These white columns are a signature mark of the architect Will Alsop who has frequently employed "legs" in his work.
Cladding Palestra is 'e' coated and frittered glass, rather than physical solar shading which Buro Happold would have a minimum effect. Between the layers of glazing is a 16mm air gap bordered by layers of solar control glass.
The building features solar panels and 14 wind turbines on the roof which combine to provide 4% of its total power needs making it the first such office building in the United Kingdom to combine the two.
It also pioneers other green technologies such as grey water harvesting, motion sensors to detect the occupation of areas of the building turning on and off fresh air depending on use, and lighting controlled by daylight sensors.