This iconic 12-storey office development is an instantly recognisable landmark in Southwark, south east London. Featuring a series of quirkily angled perimeter columns that support the structure, the building has a three storey cantilevered top section which appears to be separate from the rest of the building. These ‘unconventional’ design elements demanded innovative engineering solutions.

To achieve the dramatic concept of two ‘floating’ boxes, a stiff bending moment frame was used to form the cantilever. This impressive feature was delivered without any visible diagonal elements and without compromising on either the service routes or the number of lettable floors required to make the project commercially viable. Palestra has raking columns at two levels which, like the cantilevered section, exert large horizontal forces on the building. The structure is able to withstand the extra loading through braced steel frames built into its core.

The radical aesthetic also had a large impact on the development of the striking facade design. The site is bounded on all sides by railway tracks and busy roads, so it was vital that the acoustic quality of the facade delivered a high standard of occupant comfort while complying with Part L energy efficiency regulations.