The Concrete in Life Photography Contest 2024-25 by Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) showcased artistic entries, capturing the versatility and beauty of concrete in various settings worldwide.

The annual Concrete in Life Photography Contest 2024/25, organised by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), has once again showcased the artistic and functional significance of concrete in daily life. This prestigious global competition attracted over 20,000 entries from professional photographers and amateur smartphone users.
The title of Concrete in Life Photo of the Year 2024-25 was awarded to Henrik Hagerup for his remarkable image taken at Venice Beach Skatepark, Los Angeles, USA. Inspired by the historic 1970s skate culture that repurposed abandoned swimming pools, the image encapsulates the dynamic interplay between concrete and human creativity. As the grand prize winner, Hagerup received a monetary award of $10,000.
Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive, GCCA, who was part of the judging panel, emphasised the competition’s role in highlighting concrete’s essential contributions to infrastructure, architecture and daily life. He noted that this year’s submissions were among the most impressive in the competition’s six-year history, reflecting concrete’s role in shaping urban and rural landscapes. The competition serves as a platform for photographers worldwide to showcase concrete’s aesthetic and functional dimensions.
Hagerup expressed his appreciation for the recognition, stating that his image symbolises how concrete, when integrated with creativity and passion, fosters social connections and opportunities. He emphasised its significance beyond skateparks, extending to communities globally.
The submissions received represented every continent and captured a wide array of concrete applications, from towering skyscrapers and transportation networks to sea defences, bridges and community structures. Many images also depicted intimate human interactions in playgrounds, villages and contemporary architectural designs, illustrating the material’s impact on everyday life.

In addition to the overall winner, the competition recognised four category winners, each awarded $2,500:

• Urban Concrete: Urban Flow by Anvar Sadath TA (Dubai, UAE), featuring the iconic Burj Khalifa.
• Concrete Infrastructure: Structure as Aesthetics by Wentao Guo (Washington, D.C., USA), highlighting a subway station.
• Concrete in Daily Life: Bedok Jetty by Wellington Kuswanto (Singapore), emphasiding the material’s role in everyday settings.
• Beauty and Design: Broken Building by Artemio Layno (Amsterdam, Netherlands), showcasing an artistic perspective on concrete structures.

The People’s Vote Award, determined through a public voting process, was presented to Mohamed Rafi for his image Fluttering Through Life, taken in Pondicherry, India. Rafi received a cash prize of $5,000.

Diane Hoskins, Global Co-Chair of Gensler, a leading design and architecture firm, served as a competition judge and underscored the importance of sustainable concrete practices. She highlighted that while concrete remains a fundamental element in modern infrastructure, ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint are crucial. The competition not only celebrates concrete’s architectural and functional strengths but also encourages industry innovations aimed at sustainability.

PEOPLE’S VOTE – WINNER
Fluttering Through Life by Mohamed Rafi Pondicherry, India
To me, it symbolises 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.”

URBAN CONCRETE – WINNER
Urban Flow by Anvar Sadath TA Dubai, UAE
“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.”

OVERAL – WINNER
Venice Beach Skating by Henrik Hagerup Venice Beach, Los Angeles, USA
“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.”

CONCRETE INFRASTRUCTURE – WINNER
Structure as Aesthetics by Wentao Guo Washington D.C. USA
“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.”

CONCRETE IN DAILY LIFE – WINNER
Daily Life in Bedok Jetty by Wellington Kuswanto Bedok Jetty, Singapore
“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.”

CONCRETE BEAUTY AND DESIGN – WINNER
Broken Building by Artemio Layno Amsterdam, Netherlands
“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.”