Bangladesh’s Homes of Haor wins first place at Sony World Photography Awards 2026

Bangladesh clinched the trophy in the Architecture & Design category at the 19th edition of the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards that was announced today in London. Joy Saha took home the title within the Professional series for the winning entry Homes of Haor.

Saha’s piece is an aerial shot of homes perched upon an isolated mound of land during the harsh monsoon floods. The photograph was taken in the Haor wetlands of Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, where land remains inundated for nearly seven to eight months every year. Families are compelled to adapt to the unfavourable environment with boats being the only mode of transport. The shot demonstrates a unique take on vernacular architecture, which refers to the method that uses local materials and resources to build functional homes defined by the surroundings.

Joy Saha is a photographer and visual journalist and has his works featured in some of the leading news platforms, including BBC, National Geographic, and The Guardian. He specialises in capturing compelling human and environmental stories that have been recognised globally.

The 2026 season of Sony World Photography Awards received more than 430,000 images sent from over 200 countries and territories. The winning entries were selected by a panel of expert judges. Each winner will receive Sony Digital Imaging equipment and a chance to attend sessions facilitated by industry experts in London.

Established in 2007 and organized by the World Photography Organisation, Sony World Photography Awards is one of the world’s largest and esteemed photography competitions which celebrates the art of storytelling through the lens. It has honoured both seasoned and amateur photographers and hosts highly-anticipated exhibitions for thousands of visitors worldwide. This year’s exhibition is on display at Somerset House, London from 17 April – 4 May, presenting over 300 prints and hundreds of images in digital displays.