A popular global photo competition called “Concrete in Life”, which highlights the sustainability, essential nature and beauty of concrete throughout the world, has been launched from New York’s influential international Climate Week. 

To mark the launch of the 2024/25 competition, an exhibition of dozens of outstanding photos from the last five years was on display in New York for the competition launch. 

Run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the competition is open to everyone - professionals, amateurs, or anyone with a smart phone.

As an industry-led initiative with a net zero mission for cement and concrete, the GCCA is attending New York Climate Week (NYCW). Its CEO Thomas Guillot, who will be a judge in this year’s photo competition, said it made sense to host an exhibition where thousands of policymakers, governments, business-people and activists gather to discuss tackling the climate challenge

GCCA CEO, Thomas Guillot, said: “The GCCA is leading pioneering work with our members to decarbonise our essential industry. Our Concrete in Life Competition gives every community across the globe a chance to show just how essential concrete is to our lives and building a more sustainable world. It was important to give people attending NYCW shine a chance to see the role that concrete plays in supporting society and communities across the planet.”

Diane Hoskins, Global Co-Chair of the leading architecture and design firm Gensler, is joining the competition’s judging panel for the first time.  

Diane Hoskins said: “The places and spaces where we spend our time shape our experience of the world. Concrete is one of the most versatile and ubiquitous building materials, opening up an incredible opportunity for innovation and creativity. As architects and designers, we strive to achieve beauty, function, and resilience in our work. This is the power and promise of the built environment and the materials that bring it to life.”

This year’s Concrete in Life competition was launched in person and online from a special exhibition at the One Vanderbilt building in New York. Tens of thousands of people from every corner of the world will use social media to submit entries to the annual free-to-enter competition. 

There are four categories: urban concrete, concrete infrastructure, concrete in daily life and beauty and design. The overall winner of the competition will receive a top prize of $10,000 USD, a People’s Vote winner $5,000 USD and the four category winners will each receive $2,500 USD. The winners will be announced in March 2025. 

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is partnering this year’s competition. Its President, Tina Paillet who is on the 2024/25 judging panel said:  

“As the globally renowned professional body for the built and natural environment, RICS members know just how important concrete is to modern infrastructure and to meeting the world’s net zero targets via the circular economy. I’m looking forward to judging this year’s Concrete in Life competition and getting the chance to see many awe-inspiring photographs from around the world.”

Earlier this year, to mark five years of Concrete in Life, a stunning public exhibition of the winning images was held at an iconic art gallery in London, attracting significant public interest. 

Fellow judge Chris George, Content Director at Digital Camera World, said: “The Concrete in Life global photography competition continues to prove it is possible to take stunning shots of architecture and the manmade environment that show off the beauty of this universal building material.”