More than 10,000 pictures were submitted to the competition by people across the world, covering three categories (Concrete Infrastructure, Urban Concrete, and Concrete in Daily Life) with the entries demonstrating the widespread, diverse and sustainable use of concrete across the globe.
The winning photos from both professional and amateur photographers range from urban scenes to playparks, from beautiful architecture to essential transport networks, and from the modern wonders we can see to the hidden infrastructure often out of sight.
The overall winner - and winner of the Urban Concrete Amateur category - was Nurlan Tahirli with a photo of the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Tahirli commented of his entry: “I was struck by the building’s unique and unusual look – its stunning design with simplicity of lines, single colour and complexity of structure portraying the modern beauty of concrete and how people were interacting with it and enjoying it.”
The other category winners were:
Concrete Infrastructure Amateur
Mariëtte Ewalds: De Lentloper bridge
Ewalds commented: “This bridge “De Lentloper” in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, was photographed to show the relationship between concrete and sustainability. The bridge is a surprising place to fully enjoy the beautiful surroundings not just by passing but also working-out or cycling. It becomes one with nature. How both functional and beautiful concrete can be!”
Concrete Infrastructure Professional
Nishar Mohammed: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Mohammed said: “This picture is of the Defence Roundabout Intersection on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, which opened in January 2011. 450,000 vehicles enter Dubai on an average every day from other Emirates, with the city welcoming 40,000 vehicles in the morning peak hours every day. It’s concrete enabling people to conduct their daily lives.”
Urban Concrete Professional
Ekaterina Koryakova: Parking space near RAI, Amsterdam Netherlands
Koryakova said: This picture captures perfect geometry, minimalism, graceful lines, harmonious shades and colours. Concrete inspires me as much as nature and I can’t stop admiring it."
Concrete in Daily Life Amateur
Christopher Andres: Rizal Province, Philippines
Andres said: “The thought of growing up in the final resting place of people might be jarring but for these kids who live in a cemetery in Rizal, it isn't always like that. This use of concrete isn't just a tomb or their bed at night, it's a platform of fun and laughter.”
Concrete in Daily Life Professional
Christopher “Tawpie” Comeso: Abu Dhabi
Comeso said: “I took this picture in a newly opened family park here in Abu Dhabi 'Dalma Park' while I was taking a photo walk. I took a picture of the child while playing in the unique concrete maze. This photo captures concrete’s beauty and shows its important role in all aspects of life like a child's upbringing.”
Gabriele Galimberti, National Geographic photographer and one of the judges, said: “I am deeply impressed with how the entrants were able to capture the beauty and magnificence of concrete, and tell the story of how it is supporting us in our daily lives.”
Fellow judge Gian Luca Barone, senior associate at Zaha Hadid Architects, said: “Concrete plays a fundamental role in our built environment, enabling us to design with near unlimited versatili’y. It’s fantastic to see how people have captured how concrete can be both beautiful and essential at the same time.”
The competition ran from October to December 2020, with the overall winner getting the top prize of US$10,000 and each of the category winners receiving US$2,500. In addition to the six winners, the competition judges selected a shortlist which is viewable on the GCCA website. A film about the competition is available here.
Judging the competition were: Gabriele Galimberti, National Geographic photographer; John Fairley, photographer and creative director of Curious Productions; Gian Luca Barone, senior associate at Zaha Hadid Architects; Dinah McLeod, chief executive of the GCCA.
Dinah McLeod said: “The pictures truly capture the wide range of ways in which concrete plays a fundamental role in life. We were delighted and overwhelmed by the stunning quality and number of photos that we received from just about every corner of the world – a huge thank you to all entrants. We were hugely impressed with their ability to depict how concrete has been continuing to support our lives even in these difficult times.”
