The winners of the global photography contest 'Concrete in Life 2025/26' have been announced, showcasing stunning images from around the world that highlight the role of concrete in daily life. Organized by the Global Concrete Association, the contest received over 20,000 entries from professional and amateur photographers, reflecting the importance of concrete in infrastructure and urban design.
Thomas Guille, the CEO of the association, stated that the winning images reflect the positive impact of concrete on people's lives, demonstrating how concrete can be both functional and beautiful. The winner of the 'Image of the Year' award received a cash prize of $10,000, awarded to Silbert Balaganas for his photograph 'Columns Across the Sea', taken in Cebu, Philippines.
Event Details
The winning image showcases a stunning contrast between nature and architecture, featuring the concrete columns of the Cebu-Cordova bridge, the longest in the Philippines, set against a picturesque green backdrop. Balaganas expressed his joy at winning, noting that the photo reflects the coexistence of nature and concrete, where there is no conflict but rather integration between the two.
Additionally, four other winners were announced in various categories, with Rafael Emerson de Peralta winning the Urban Concrete category for his image 'Dubai Rising'. Meanwhile, Rafly Rinaldi won the Infrastructure category for his photograph 'Hidden Connection' taken in Jakarta. In the Everyday Concrete category, Naitao Li won for his image 'Space and Time Explorer' in Harbin, China.
Background & Context
Concrete is a fundamental material in construction, playing a vital role in the development of modern cities. Since its invention, concrete has contributed to building bridges, roads, and buildings that form the infrastructure of any community. The demand for concrete has significantly increased with the growing population and urban expansion, making it essential to highlight its aesthetics and functions.
The contest aims to raise awareness of the importance of concrete through art, allowing photographers to express their visions of how this material impacts our lives. This initiative also reflects the global trend towards using sustainable materials in construction.
Impact & Consequences
The results indicate a growing interest in photography that focuses on architecture and the environment. The winners of this contest represent a wide cultural diversity, reflecting how concrete is not just a building material but a connector of different cultures.
This contest contributes to fostering innovation in the use of concrete, which may lead to the development of new techniques in construction and design. It also encourages thinking about how to use concrete sustainably, reflecting current environmental trends.
Regional Significance
In the Arab region, concrete plays a pivotal role in construction and urban development projects. With major projects increasing in countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia, it becomes essential to understand how to use this material effectively and beautifully. This contest can inspire Arab photographers to explore the aesthetics of concrete in their local projects.
Understanding the role of concrete in daily life can help Arab communities improve their urban structures and enhance their attractiveness. Through the arts, we can see how concrete can be part of the cultural identity of cities.