Winners of world’s largest built environment photography competition revealed

A photographer with a keen eye for spectacular urban images has been crowned the winner of the Chartered Institute of Building’s (CIOB) coveted photography competition for the second time.

Holland’s Roman Robroek, who won the competition back in 2016, wowed the public once again, this time with a picture of an abandoned school in a remote village in Italy, to earn himself the Art of Building’s Public Choice award. 

Roman’s winning shot, titled Fresco School, scooped more than half of the 8850 votes cast and was one of an incredible 1444 entries to the contest.

Saul Townsend, Head of Communications at CIOB, said: “This year, we are delighted to recognise two outstanding winners. Roman Robroek’s evocative image of an abandoned school in Italy, which earned him the Public Choice Award, beautifully highlights the quiet elegance and historical significance of old buildings.  

“Roman’s achievement is particularly remarkable as he becomes the first entrant in our competition’s history to win the title twice - a testament to his extraordinary talent.”

Roman joins Liam Man, whose incredible shot of a hotel on Furka Pass, a mountain in the Swiss Alps, won the Judges’ Choice crown. The two winning photographers will both receive a cash prize of £1,500.

Saul continued: “Liam Man’s dramatic portrayal of the iconic Hotel Belvedere on Switzerland’s Furka Pass, winner of the Judges’ Choice Award, showcases the enduring power of architecture to inspire awe and wonder.

“Both winners remind us of the importance of preserving and celebrating the structures that connect us to our past while shaping our cultural identity. We are immensely proud of all who entered and look forward to celebrating even more incredible talent in the future.”

The Art of Building competition is an annual contest designed for both amateur and professional photographers to showcase their skills, while also promoting the true beauty of the world’s built environment.

Visit www.artofbuilding.org for more on the competition.