GCCA Concrete in Life 2024/25 photography competition winners
Photo contests typically have some sort of central theme or guiding topic, but that isn't often centered around a building material. The Concrete in Life contest, however, does just that. Run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the contest aims to highlight concrete's beauty and essentiality worldwide. The winners of the sixth annual running of the contest have been announced, having been selected from more than 20,000 entries.
"The stunning images highlight concrete’s positive impact on our lives right across the planet," said Thomas Guillot, GCCA Chief Executive who helped to judge this year’s competition. "Whether it’s the vital infrastructure such as bridges, railways and roads that we travel along or the homes, offices and schools we inhabit, concrete is a truly versatile material. Our competition gives anyone with a smartphone as well as professional photographers, the chance to show just how essential concrete is to our lives, as well as how beautiful it can be."
The contest is open to any type of camera, from smartphones to professional equipment. The contest awards an overall winner with a prize of $10,000. There are also four category winners – Urban Design and Use, Concrete Infrastructure, Concrete in Daily Life and Beauty and Design – with one winner per category winning $2,500. Finally, a People's Choice award winner receives $5,000.
You can see all of the shortlisted winners and learn more about the contest at the GCCA Concrete in Life website.
Concrete in Life Photo of the Year 2024/25: Henrik Hagerup
Photographer: Henrik Hagerup
Image title: Venice Beach Skating
Image location: Venice Beach, Los Angeles, USA
Description: A magical morning where the skaters work their magic on the concrete rink with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, the picture illustrates the professional skater and the little boy who dreams big dreams.
Statement: I am truly honored, overjoyed, and deeply humbled that you have chosen my image as the Overall Winner of the Concrete in Life 2024/25 Competition.
I captured my picture at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, a vibrant destination where people from all over the world come to enjoy the sun, the ocean and not least, the iconic skate park, this vibrant space is a magnet for creativity, where something exciting is always unfolding. When in L.A. I often spend hours here, camera in hand, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to emerge.
From the very start, I noticed a young boy who I instinctively knew could become an essential part of my story. Through this image, I aimed to illustrate how concrete shapes the lives of those who play, dream, and push the limits of possibility. The experienced skater, who has mastered the smooth surface through dedication and skill, stands as an inspiration to the child, whose hopes and ambitions are just beginning to take form.
My image is a tribute to the way concrete, when embraced by creativity and passion, fosters connection, dreams, and boundless potential not just in skate parks, but in communities across the world.
Urban Design and Use winner: Anvar Sadath TA
Photographer: Anvar Sadath TA
Image title: Urban Flow
Image location: Dubai, UAE
Description: The iconic Burj Khalifa rises above the futuristic skyline, framed by surrounding architectural marvels and concrete curves, all mirrored in the shimmering waters of the city.
Statement: I am honored to be the winner of the Concrete in Life 2025 competition in the Urban Concrete category! My winning photograph captures the dynamic relationship between concrete structures and the vibrant cityscape, reflecting how concrete shapes our urban experiences.
This recognition reinforces my passion for storytelling through photography, and I hope my image inspires others to find beauty in the everyday structures that define our cities. My heartfelt thanks to the GCCA for this incredible honor. I also extend my sincere gratitude to the judges and the entire GCCA team for supporting photographers and celebrating visual storytelling.
Concrete Infrastructure winner: Wentao Guo
Photographer: Wentao Guo
Image title: Structure as Aesthetics
Image location: Washington D.C. USA
Description: In Harry Weese’s Washington subway station, concrete transcends time and function: its light and shadow align precisely with the motion of countless trains passing through; its rectangular division aesthetically resonates with the sense of security and austerity of the mass transportation station in the United States’ capital city.
Statement: I took this photo at one of the Washington DC subway stations designed by Harry Weese. I was captivated by the moment when the transience of transportation runs into the permanence of concrete. Its obscurity becomes its greatest presence: its functionality, its aesthetic and its enduringness. Concrete is such an essential part of our lives and it constructs so many characters of our built environment. I am very honored to be a winner of the Concrete in Life 2425 competition, having a valuable opportunity to reveal the essence of concrete in our built environment through my lens.”
Concrete in Daily Life winner: Wellington Kuswanto
Photographer: Wellington Kuswanto
Image title: Daily Life in Bedok Jetty
Image location: Bedok Jetty, Singapore
Description: Bedok Jetty serves as an urban public space in Singapore, offering people a serene retreat for fishing, sport & leisure activities, and scenic waterfront view. Urban public space like this is vital for fostering community engagement, social interaction, and a sense of belonging among people.
Statement: I’m truly thrilled that the judges selected my photo as the winner in the daily life category.
Bedok Jetty holds a special place for me, as I cycle and hang out there every weekend. It inspired me to submit the image of this particular place for the competition, as it showcases a public space made of concrete structure that is actively used by many people engaging in various activities as part of their daily lives
Beauty and Design winner: Artemio Layno
Photographer: Artemio Layno
Image title: Broken Building
Image location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Description: Valley is a residential and office tower on the Zuidas in Amsterdam. The three towers are respectively 100 metres (north), 66 metres (west) and 76 metres (south) high. The 75,000-square-metre building, which was recently declared the world’s best new skyscraper by the Emporis Awards, stands out in Amsterdam. The construction of Valley took four years, with the first residents and entrepreneurs moving into the building at the end of 2021.
Statement: I am really happy and grateful that my photo is chosen to be a winner of the Concrete in Life 2425 competition. I took the photo at Amsterdam, Netherlands and I was amazed how creative and modern the design of the building is, it looks like it was cut-out and separated in the middle of the main structure, the design is created by a large number of terraces. Concrete is not just used as a necessity in creating structures but it can also be used to showcase artistic works that are amazingly beautiful.
People's Choice winner: Mohamed Rafi
Photographer: Mohamed Rafi
Image title: Fluttering Through Life
Image location: Pondicherry, India
Description: When I saw this wall near Pondicherry Beach, I waited for someone to enter the frame. I captured a few casual shots, then this elderly woman walked in. Dressed in a floral outfit with a black shawl, she moved with quiet grace. I clicked my shutter as much as possible, not wanting to miss the moment. For me, it was a powerful intersection of reality and art, symbolizing unseen strength and the beauty of everyday life.
Statement: I am truly honoured to win the People’s Vote Category of the Concrete in Life 2024/25 competition. This photograph, taken in Pondicherry India, captures an everyday moment transformed by art: an elderly woman walking past a mural, unknowingly aligning with its butterfly wings painted in a wall. To me, it symbolizes resilience, unseen beauty, and how our surroundings shape us in ways we don’t always realise. Street photography is about finding meaning in fleeting moments, and I’m thrilled that this image resonated with so many people.
Shortlist: Febina Nabeel
Photographer: Febina Nabeel
Category: Beauty and Design
Title: Where Nature and Architecture come together!
Image location: Abrahamic Family House, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Description: Abrahamic Family House combines the three Houses of Worship - Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque, St.Francis Church and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue.
The olive tree representing peace and friendship.
Shortlist: Edwin Loyola
Photographer: Edwin Loyola
Category: Beauty and Design
Title: The Oculus
Image location: New York City, USA
Description: The World Trade Center’s Oculus, designed by the visionary Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, is a triumphant transportation hub that embodies the unbreakable spirit of New York City. Situated in the heart of Manhattan, the Oculus serves as a vibrant gateway to the city, seamlessly connecting millions of people to 12 NYC Transit subway lines, while also offering an unparalleled shopping and dining experience.
Shortlist: Jason Balaba
Photographer: Jason Balaba
Category: Beauty and Design
Title: Futuristic Ithra Library
Image location: Dhahran, Saudia Arabia
Description: The futuristic design of Ithra Library is inspired by natural, organic shapes, and the building as a whole feels like it is in constant transformation, symbolizing progress and cultural growth.
Shortlist: Ee Long Tan
Photographer: Ee Long Tan
Category: Concrete in Daily Life
Title: Colorful Stairs
Image location: Batu Caves,Selangor, Malaysia
Description: The most striking thing in the photo is the bright colors of the stairs,red,orange,yellow,green,blue,and purple,with distinct layers,as if a rainbow fell from the sky. These colors not only make the stairs more beautiful,but also give it deeper cultural and religious significance.
Shortlist:
Photographer: Ricardo Funari
Category: Concrete in Daily Life
Title: Maracanã
Image location: Outside Maracanã stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Description: My eyes were attracted by the curious and funny shadow of the boy playing with his soccer ball projected by the mid-afternoon sun on the concrete floor surrounded by palm trees at Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Shortlist: Shibasish Saha
Photographer: Shibasish Saha
Category: Concrete in Daily Life
Title: Drying incense sticks
Image location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Description: Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is a picturesque place where vibrant red incense sticks are laid out under the golden sun, creating a surreal scene. The air is filled with a calming aroma as friendly artisans dye and dry the incense with skilled, rhythmic movements. The village buzzes with quiet activity, children's laughter, and the warmth of a timeless Vietnamese tradition. It's a beautiful, unforgettable experience.
Shortlist: Ian Payne
Photographer: Ian Payne
Category: Concrete Infrastructure
Title: Hyperboloid
Image location: Slough, UK
Description: A beautiful summer's day with the temperature around 30°C, I did what any sensible person would do, walk around an industrial estate to photograph newly painted concrete cooling towers. The heat shimmered off the tarmac, but the towers stood out, sharp and clean against the sky. Worth the sweat? Absolutely.
Shortlist: Serdar Aydin
Photographer: Serdar Aydin
Category: Concrete Infrastructure
Title: Varyant
Image location: Izmir, Turkey
Description: In İzmir, Türkiye, buses navigate a winding road called Varyant. This uniquely shaped route, made of concrete and asphalt, might be an uncomfortable ride for passengers, but from above, it offers a stunning view.
Shortlist: Anna Kropf
Photographer: Anna Kropf
Category: Urban Concrete
Title: Arch_ES_Valencia
Image location: Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe (2000) – an interactive museum of science that resembles the skeleton of a whale.
Description: The City of Arts and Sciences (Valencian: Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Spanish: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)[a] is a cultural and architectural complex in the city of Valencia, Spain. It is the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.
Shortlist: Jacob Surland
Photographer: Jacob Surland
Category: Urban Concrete
Title: Door to the Unknown
Image location: Aalborg, Denmark
Description: I shot this photo in February 2024. It is of a side door to the old power plant Nordkraft (North Power). It is now a recreational and cultural center including a cinema and concert hall. When I was a child, it was the new Power Plant and it was a Monument of the city and the first thing you would see, when driving towards Aalborg. It was a sign that told you, that you were soon home.
