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Skate photo crowned Concrete in Life winner

By Richard High, 04 April, 2025
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. 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."

Concrete in Life winner captures skatepark scene in global photography contest

A photograph of a skateboarder in action at Venice Beach Skatepark in Los Angeles has won the top prize in the 2024/25 Concrete in Life photography competition, run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA).

Henrik Hagerup’s image was selected from over 20,000 entries submitted by professional and amateur photographers worldwide. It was named Concrete in Life Photo of the Year and awarded a prize of $10,000 (approx. £7,900). The competition, now in its sixth year, aims to highlight the essential role that concrete plays in the built environment.

The winning photo shows a young boy watching a skilled skater at the iconic California skatepark, which features concrete bowls inspired by the 1970s skateboarding scene. Hagerup captured the moment during one of his regular visits to Venice Beach.

“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,” said Hagerup.

The GCCA said the competition received entries from every continent. Subjects ranged from major infrastructure such as bridges, roads and sea defences, to urban landmarks, rural settings, and intimate everyday scenes involving concrete structures.

Thomas Guillot, chief executive of the GCCA and one of the judges, said: “These images highlight concrete’s impact on our lives – from the infrastructure we rely on to the places we live, work and play. They also show how concrete can be beautiful, not just functional.”

Alongside the overall winner, four category prizes of $2,500 (approx. £1,975) were awarded:

  • Urban Concrete: Urban Flow by Anvar Sadath TA, taken in Dubai, UAE
  • Concrete Infrastructure: Structure as Aesthetics by Wentao Guo, Washington D.C., USA
  • Concrete in Daily Life: Bedok Jetty by Wellington Kuswanto, Singapore
  • Beauty and Design: Broken Building by Artemio Layno, Amsterdam, Netherlands
PEOPLE’S VOTE WINNER: Fluttering Through Life by Mohamed Rafi, Pondicherry, India. "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. "

The People’s Vote prize, worth $5,000 (approx. £3,950) and chosen by public vote, went to Mohamed Rafi for Fluttering Through Life, photographed in Pondicherry, India.

Diane Hoskins, global co-chair of architecture practice Gensler and a member of the judging panel, added: “These winning images show how concrete is embedded in our everyday lives – and they also remind us of the need to decarbonise the material. Good design and sustainable construction go hand in hand.”

The GCCA said the competition helps to raise awareness of both the importance of concrete and the need for innovation in areas such as sustainability, design and construction.

Concrete remains the most used substance on Earth after water.

An online gallery of all winning and shortlisted images is available at: gccassociation.org/concreteinlife2425

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