The University’s debut exhibit at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which was built by the Department of Engineering’s Design and Technical Services team, has won a prestigious silver-gilt medal.
It was a fantastic opportunity and a pleasure to work with the Sainsbury Laboratory to support them in delivering such a successful Chelsea exhibit, which we hope educated and inspired many of our visitors.
Thomas Glenday
Presented by the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University, the Blooming Numbers exhibit was part of a brand-new GreenSTEM section that celebrated cutting-edge research and innovation in the world of plant science.
Starting with the initial idea of the Fibonacci sequence – an iconic numerical pattern found throughout nature – Thomas Glenday, Head of Design and Technical Services at the Department of Engineering, and his team, took on the challenge of designing a curved structure in metal and wood to bring mathematical beauty to life with a Fibonacci spiral wall.
Thomas said: "It was a fantastic opportunity and a pleasure to work with the Sainsbury Laboratory to support them in delivering such a successful Chelsea exhibit, which we hope educated and inspired many of our visitors."
Blooming Numbers took visitors on an immersive journey through the latest discoveries in quantitative plant biology – starting with the humble flower and diving deep into molecular biology, genetics, imaging technologies, computational modelling, and the often-overlooked mathematical patterns that govern plant development.
“One of our fellow exhibitors, who have been coming to Chelsea for years, told us that getting a silver-gilt on your first try is a real achievement,” said Kathy Grube from the Sainsbury Laboratory.
“The judges came over and said the design of the stand was fantastic, and they loved the interactive exhibits. We’re just so honoured.”
The Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge: Blooming Numbers exhibit. Credit: Jacqueline Garget
The exhibit used sustainably sourced timber while the planters were designed to minimise metal waste by incorporating cut-offs.
Now that the Show is over, the accessible lab benches will be used in the Sainsbury Laboratory as mobile lab workstations, and the modular Fibonacci spiral exhibit will be relocated to community gardens in Cambridge, where it will serve as raised planter boxes with trellis screens for growing climbing plants.
The eye-catching exhibit, which was a collaborative effort across multiple Cambridge institutions and partners, included The Pollinator Patch, a lush highlight of the exhibit, designed and cultivated by Oakington Garden Centre to demonstrate pollinator-friendly planting. Darwin Nurseries added wildlife-friendly hanging baskets that captivated visitors and judges alike.
Adapted from a University of Cambridge news article.
