Latest news with #Avanade
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm a Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner and these are the world's most beautiful gardens
Gardener Tom Massey is basking in a golden glow after scooping a gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show this week. The London landscaper, who grew up close to Richmond Park in the capital's south west, scooped his second coveted gold medal in a row after exhibiting at the country's most famous flower show. Alongside co-designer Je Ahn, the pair created the AI-enabled Avanade Intelligent Garden, which has been one of the most talked about horticultural showcases at this year's event. BBC presenter Adam Frost praised the garden for its diversity during a tour, saying: 'He's built in layers - so the trees, the shrubs, and then we're down to the herbaceous plants, but within that, there's a huge amount of edibles.' Tom told MailOnline Travel that he's been inspired by visits to some of the world's most spectacular green spaces - and says green-fingered fans should make time to see beautiful gardens when on holiday. He said: 'Travelling to visit gardens is one of the most enriching ways to connect with a place - offering a window into local culture, climate, and ecology through the lens of landscape design. 'Gardens tell stories about how people live with nature, and each one reveals something unique about its environment and community.' Here, the Chelsea Flower Show gold-medal winner picks his favourite gardens around the world... The High Line, New York City, USA An elevated linear park built on a former freight rail line, the High Line is a global model for regenerative urban space. Designed by James Corner Field Operations with Piet Oudolf's planting, it showcases native and climate-resilient species in a bold, immersive landscape. Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam, Netherlands Once a contaminated gasworks site, Westergasfabriek was transformed into a thriving cultural and ecological park. It features innovative water purification systems, wildflower meadows, and sustainable architecture, demonstrating how degraded land can be beautifully restored. The Superkilen, Copenhagen, Denmark A radical example of sustainable placemaking, Superkilen blends climate-resilient design with social inclusion. Recycled materials, drought-tolerant planting, and community-sourced elements from around the world make it a living celebration of diversity and urban resilience. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London Born from the 2012 Games, this park is a benchmark for ecological urban design. Swales, wetlands, and wild planting manage stormwater naturally, while new woodlands and meadows increase biodiversity and provide long-term public benefit. Gardens by the Bay (Bay East), Singapore Beyond the famous Supertrees, Bay East offers a quieter, more ecologically focused experience. It integrates native wetland planting, stormwater harvesting, and passive cooling design, showing how cities in hot climates can reimagine public space sustainably. Naoshima Island, Japan Not a garden in the conventional sense, but a deeply considered landscape where art, architecture, and nature coexist. Naoshima invites slow, sensory engagement with place, and its sensitive design ethos aligns with the values of sustainable and immersive garden design. Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester A National Trust project transforming a disused railway viaduct into an elevated urban park. Castlefield Viaduct champions nature-led regeneration, using planters filled with native and pollinator-friendly plants while trialling new approaches to green infrastructure in cities. My WaterAid show garden from RHS Chelsea 2024 will be relocated here in Spring 2026 as part of a phase 2 extension.
Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Telegraph
The Chelsea Flower Show garden that tells you when it needs watering
Gardeners have long loved speaking to their plants, believing it helps encourage their growth and well being. Now scientists have developed a garden that talks back, informing its keepers when it needs more water and nutrition. Going on display at the Chelsea Flower Show, which starts on Tuesday, the Avanade Intelligent Garden is fitted with pioneering AI sensors which allow people to understand if plants are under stress to help with decisions about which care to give. The garden, which is designed by Tom Massey and Je Ahn and fitted with an interactive tool called TreeTalk, promises to 'provide insights into the condition of urban trees and offers recommendations to support their care'. Through a web-based app, visitors to the Chelsea Flower Show can have one-to-one conversations with the trees in the garden, learning what specific care they need and how they are faring. Trees will even alert their custodians if they anticipate issues like over or under-watering. The garden's sensors track tree health by monitoring growth, sap flow, soil conditions, air quality, and weather patterns. AI analyses this data, spotting trends and predicting future conditions before providing simple advice on what steps a gardener should take next. Mr Massey and Mr Ahn point out that 30 per cent of urban trees die in their first year, with 50 per cent failing to survive beyond 10 years. They hope their approach will assist gardeners in ensuring a longer lifespan for their own trees. The pair said: 'This garden is an experiment, but we hope it sparks a new conversation about the future of urban tree care.' They claim 'trees are empowered to provide insights' rather than 'relying on automated irrigation systems or robotic gardeners'. 'We aim to foster a deeper understanding of trees and useful dialogue with them, retaining essential human interaction in their physical care and management. We hope this garden sparks conversation about the future of urban tree care,' they said. 'By blending nature with technology, we hope to demonstrate that we can give trees a better chance to thrive in our cities while empowering their caretakers, whether it's a group of schoolchildren tending to a new tree in their playground or a developer managing thousands of trees across a new housing estate. Our urban trees are vitally important and should be here for generations to come.' In 1986, when asked about his gardening habits and techniques, the then-Prince Charles replied: 'I just come and talk to the plants, really – very important to talk to them, they respond.' Mr Massey, a London-based landscape and garden designer known for his innovative and sustainable approach, won a gold medal and the BBC People's Choice Award for the Yeo Valley Organic Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2021, and a gold medal for the Water Aid Garden, designed in collaboration with Mr Ahn, in 2024. Mr Ahn is the founding director of Studio Weave, an architectural practice, and has worked on large-scale housing, civic infrastructure and schools. He is currently involved in the Vestry House Museum, a project set to open in early 2026, as well as designing welcome pavilions and landscapes for the British Museum. After the show, the Avanade Intelligent Garden will be relocated to Manchester's green Mayfield district.
Times
16-05-2025
- Times
Trees find their voice in AI-powered Chelsea garden
Hermann Hesse once wrote: 'Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.' The Chelsea Flower Show will be taking Hesse's words literally this year, with a garden that tells people how it is feeling. Visitors will be invited to ask the 12 trees of the Avanade Intelligent Garden how they are. Through the power of artificial intelligence, the trees will tell them. So far, as they endure the driest spring in almost 70 years, their main response has been: 'Thirsty.' Each of the 12 trees, which include a Sichuan pepper, white willow, purple walnut, river birch and hawthorn, have been fitted with sensors that monitor everything from the pH balance and
Tahawul Tech
27-01-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Avanade appoints Adel Daira as UAE Country Manager
Avanade, the world's leading Microsoft expert, recently announced the appointment of Adel Daira as the new United Arab Emirates (UAE) Country Manager, effective immediately. Adel succeeds Adriano Neves, who will transition to the role of General Manager for Brazil. Adel brings over 13 years of experience at Avanade, where he has built a strong reputation for driving growth and fostering robust client relationships. His decade-long tenure in Switzerland as the Client Lead for large accounts was marked by impressive results, and since relocating to the UAE in 2021, he has significantly enhanced Avanade's regional presence as the Regional Sales Lead. Anna Di Silverio, President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EME), Avanade, said, 'Adel has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of our clients' needs. His strategic vision and commitment to excellence make him the ideal leader to drive our growth in the UAE. We are confident that under his leadership, Avanade UAE will continue to thrive and innovate in this dynamic market'. The UAE is rapidly becoming a global hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. With a market size valued at USD 3.47 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 43.9% between 2024 and 2030, the opportunities for AI in the UAE are immense. The government's commitment to integrating AI across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and defence, is driving significant advancements and creating a fertile ground for innovation. Adel's appointment comes at a pivotal time as AI trends in the UAE continue to evolve. The region is witnessing a surge in AI applications, from smart traffic control systems to AI-powered healthcare solutions. These advancements are not only enhancing operational efficiencies but also transforming the way businesses and governments operate. 'I am honoured to take on the role of UAE Country Manager at such an exciting time for Avanade and the region. The UAE is at the forefront of technological innovation, and I am eager to lead our talented team in driving significant growth and delivering exceptional value to our clients. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with digital transformation and AI', said Adel Daira, Country Manager – UAE, Avanade. 'The UAE's vision for AI aligns perfectly with Avanade's mission to leverage technology for positive change. I am excited to explore new opportunities and collaborate with our clients to harness the full potential of AI, driving sustainable growth and innovation'. Image Credit: Avanade
