Building “X” of Anatolia American University among the Major Winners of the GRAIL Architectural Awards
The new academic building to be integrated into the Anatolia campus, serving the needs of the newly established non-profit, non-state institution Anatolia American University, was among the award-winning projects of the 4th GRAIL Awards Architectural Competition. The Architecture, Interior Design, and Lighting Awards ceremony took place on January 21, 2026, at the Athens Conservatoire, with the aim of promoting Greek architecture both within and beyond national borders, and recognizing and celebrating projects and creators who stand out across the full spectrum of architectural design.
The architectural team of PILA Studio received First Prize in the category “Unrealized Architectural Study” for the project, currently referred to as Building “X.” The building will accommodate diverse learning environments, including flexibly configured amphitheaters, a multimedia space, classrooms, and multifunctional areas for group work, study, and project-based learning. Building “X” is expected to be completed by 2027 and is one of four new buildings to be developed over time in accordance with Anatolia’s Campus Master Plan.
Rena Sakellaridou, Architect, Member of the GRAIL Jury, Ilias Papageorgiou, Principal and Co-founder, PILA, Christina Papalexandri, Principal and Co-founder, PILA, Konstantinos Voutoufianakis Petropoulos, Design Director, PILA
Situated at the heart of the Anatolia campus in Thessaloniki, the new academic building embodies the belief that space can shape the educational experience. Anchored in the campus’s century-long legacy and aligned with the ambitions of a new master plan for expansion, the project positions architecture as an active catalyst for collaboration, curiosity, and community.
Research increasingly highlights the importance of flexibility, transparency, and interaction in shaping meaningful learning experiences; the building translates these principles into spatial form. Its massing is designed to weave interior and exterior space into a unified experience. Strategic openings invite vegetation deep into the plan, while shaded courtyards, outdoor classrooms, and an open-air amphitheater extend learning into the landscape. The building’s ground floor bends softly inward, drawing students from the new campus quad into a generous double-height entrance anchored by a sculptural staircase. Above, adaptable classrooms, laboratories, study areas, and faculty offices support a spectrum of learning modes: from focused study to collective experimentation.
Flexibility is embedded at every scale. The amphitheater can function either as a single 220-seat venue or be divided into two independent auditoriums through a movable acoustic wall, enabling parallel educational activities. Classrooms allow multiple configurations, anticipating the evolving needs of the academic curriculum.
Through its spatial openness, structural adaptability, and deep engagement with the surrounding environment, the new academic building becomes more than an addition to the campus: it is a platform for contemporary education. It fosters a culture of interaction, creativity, and shared purpose, offering a learning environment designed not only for today’s students, but for future generations of thinkers and creators.
