Grant Associates on winning international competition design team for Anatolia College, Greece

Landscape architects Grant Associates have been appointed alongside lead architects Bennetts Associates to reimagine the campus of Anatolia College in Thessaloniki.

Established in 1886, Anatolia College is celebrated as one of Greece’s most distinguished educational establishments. The private, non-profit organisation that caters to all levels of education has identified a need for a future vision that will enhance the student experience, better reflect its preeminent academic reputation (both national and international) and allow significant expansion of the student population at its tertiary division, ACT - The American College of Thessaloniki.

Set in a beautiful and historic location in the hills above Thessaloniki, the campus covers c.22 hectares in total. In addition to reimagining the campus identity and refining the quality of place/architecture, other key objectives include future-proofing educational space for students and staff, cherishing the local heritage, further embedding sustainability, celebrating nature and improving key functional aspects of the estate.

Grant Associates and Bennetts Associates will be supported by a highly-experienced, sustainability-focused project design team including Buro Happold: Athens (sustainability/highways), Alexi Marmot Associates (educational briefing) and Betaplan (Greek partner architects).

The design concepts are built on a theme of a ‘forest campus’ unifying the site through a sensory and experiential journey. They also included major new entrances, reworked ‘heartspace’ quads, doubling of nature, a new rooftop events space with panoramic sea and mountain views, and a 600-seat state-of-the-art auditorium.

Completion and approval of the framework masterplan is targeted for Summer 2024.

Albert H. “Chip” Elfner III, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Anatolia College, said:

This is an exciting moment for Anatolia College, as we celebrate our centenary of moving to the current site. As well as marking the journey to where we are, it is the ideal time to envision an exciting future, with this new masterplan at the heart of the process. We look forward with eagerness to where this might lead.

Julian Lipscombe, Director at Bennetts Associates, said:

We felt a strong rapport and shared vision with the College from the outset so it is a great honour to have been appointed. Our intention is to consolidate the scheme so that it fully expresses the College’s identity and history, as well as celebrating the natural beauty and culture of Northern Greece. We hope the end result will be an exceptional campus that delivers the objectives and inspires generations of ‘Anatolians’ to join.”

Peter Chmiel, Director at Grant Associates, adds:

“We are delighted to be part of the winning team led by Bennetts Associates. 2024 is the college’s centennial year: a legacy landscape that is truly 100 years in the making. The rich and diverse gardens and landscape of Anatolia, crafted from a barren mountainside, are a living memorial to the landscape architect Elise Hoesly White. It is a privilege to have this opportunity to help to shape the next landscape chapter and celebrate the legacy landscape whilst also responding to modern global concerns of climate change and biodiversity loss. Based on the themes of resilient nature, regenerative design, and research landscapes the ambition is to significantly increase nature, sports opportunities, flexible space, and external educational opportunities all within the framework of the beautiful and immersive gardens of Anatolia.’’

 ENDS