Winners of worlds largest built environment photography competition 2023
![]() |
The National Mosque of Bangladesh featured in the Public Choice award. |
The winners of the Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB) coveted photography competition have been announced.
Photographers pitted their best shots against one another in CIOB’s Art of Building contest, the world’s largest photography competition which shows buildings and construction as works of art.
Judges whittled down more than 1,500 entries to 15 final photographs and members of the public were allowed to vote for their favourite online. Meanwhile, judges also picked their favourite image.
[edit] Public Choice winner
The winning shot was captured by Bangladesh’s Azim Khan Ronnie who submitted a stunning image of the National Mosque of Bangladesh. It shows visitors taking part in group prayers and they can be seen neatly lined up as they stand, sit, kneel and bow.
More than 2,000 voters picked their favourite image and Azim’s picture secured 68 per cent of the votes – a landslide victory.
[edit] Judges’ Choice winner
Meanwhile, Belgium’s Alain Schroeder’s image titled Bricks – also captured in Bangladesh – scooped the Judges’ Choice crown this year. It shows some of the dangerous conditions some people work in at brick factories in the country.
Alain said: “Bangladesh needs a lot of material to push forward its development and that is why you can see a lot of brick factories in the country – where men, women and even children work in difficult and dangerous conditions.
“The men in the image are covered with dust, transforming them into earth statues, which endangers their health.”
![]() |
Bricks by Alain Schroeder won the Judges' Choice Award |
Both winning photographers will receive a £1,500 cash prize.
Saul Townsend, Head of Communications at CIOB, who was on the judging panel for the competition, said: “We were once again overwhelmed by so many incredible entries into this growing, global competition – capturing the built environment for all its beauty.
“The winning images are very contrasting with Azim’s photo showing the true harmony outstanding architecture can bring while Alain’s picture is a powerful reminder that for all the wonder of the built world, there are far too many people – including children – who suffer appalling injuries due to terrible conditions.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who submitted a photograph to this year’s contest and we’re already looking forward to reopening the competition in late 2024.”
You can see all the finalists and winners here.
This article appears on the CIOB news and blogsite as "Winners of world’s largest built environment photography competition 2023" dated January 12, 2024.
--CIOB
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 2023 CIOB photography competition public choice award shortlist.
- Architectural photography.
- Architectural publishing.
- CIOB holds the Art of Building photo contest.
- CIOB holds the Art of Building photo contest 2021.
- CIOB Art of Building photo contest 2022.
- CIOB Art of Building photo contest 2023.
- How to commission architectural photography.
- Photographing buildings.
- Skyscrapers, staircases and optical illusions - the Art of Building is back.
Featured articles and news
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Home builders call for suspension of Building Safety Levy
HBF with over 100 home builders write to the Chancellor.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2024/2025
CIOB names James Monk a quantity surveyor from Cambridge as the winner.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.