Concrete in Life Photo of the Year: Picture of kite flyers wins top prize

• By Matthew Tucker
• BBC News

A black-and-white image of children flying kites on the steps of Mexico’s Teopanzolco Cultural Center has been named Concrete in Life Photo of the Year.

The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) competition received 21,000 entries.

And the $10,000 (£7,900) prize-winner features the triangular concrete building, in Cuernavaca, designed to pay tribute to nearby pyramid-shaped ruined Aztec temples.

“My photo shows how concrete develops both artistic and functional environments in our lives,” Saeed Rezvanian said.

Four other category winners each won $2,500.

Co-judge and GCCA chief executive Thomas Guillot said: “The outstanding [winning] images highlight how concrete is so many things – strong and enduring but also touching and beautiful, supporting our many lives across the planet.”

To mark five years of the competition, more than 100 photos will be at a free exhibition at the Brunswick Art Gallery, in London, until Thursday, 28 March.

Here are other winners from this year’s competition, with comments from the photographers.

“I was inspired to take this image of the old Armstrong Rubber Building, in New Haven, Connecticut, after passing it several times whilst driving.

“The striking geometry and sheer mass of the building drew me to it and the bright summer light really accentuated the texture of the wonderfully sculpted concrete facade.”

“Visited during the Open House Basel event, the Maurerhalle building remains to me a highlight and a timeless architectural gem in the city, where sculpture and structure, art and science, merge harmoniously.

“This monumental origami-like concrete structure, in which the facade and the roof are unified through the same sheet, brought back vivid memories of my architectural studies, when we explored the structural strength of folded paper as a method of creation.”

“The photo shows the scene at the Aquatic Stadium Gelora Bung Karno, in Jakarta.

“The combination of the athletes warming up for the platform-diving competition, the architecture of the stadium, the vibrant colors and the interplay of light and shadow creates a captivating and harmonious scene.”

“New Priok Container Terminal [on the north coast of Indonesia] is one of the important ports supporting economic activities.

“I was interested in capturing this when I saw the composition and beauty of the harbor at night.”

“When my plane was about to land at Ngurah Rai airport – the Bali Mandara Toll Road caught my attention, which is located very close to the airport.

“Under the toll ring road, there are several plots of land planted with mangroves.

“Farmers routinely take care of them.”

Here are some of the shortlisted images.

“A small alley tucked away in the bustling streets of Macau city.”

“The skewed and asymmetrical windows of this hotel made of concrete are great.”

“This shot was taken in New York City, in Manhattan’s West Chelsea neighborhood.”

“[A building in the] Trung Nguyen coffee capital, in Dak Lak province, Vietnam.”

“A cyclist navigates verdant patches, embodying the fusion of urban and natural elements, at the mountain-bike track in Mushrif Park, Dubai, UAE.”

“Concrete is very embedded in the daily lives of Indonesian people, especially in village communities.

“One example is the use of concrete in the walls of bucket wells in Ngrowo village, Bojonegoro Regency, East Java province.”

“Wave-breakers at Glagah Beach, Indonesia, play a crucial role in mitigating coastal erosion and preserving the shoreline.”

“This is the sluice gate of the Jatigede Dam, in Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia.

“The benefits of the dam are vital for the farming community.”

All photos subject to copyright.