Following the announcement of Big River’s Timber to Tokyo competition at Coco Republic Design Centre during Saturday in Design Sydney, we caught up with a thrilled Alex Fitzpatrick to chat about his winning design and upcoming trip to Tokyo Designers Week.
“It worked out really well,” said Alex (pictured above with Big River Group’s Dean Henderson) of Timber Wall Garden, which used Big River Armourfloor to create a striking wall-mounted light display.
Alex had the idea several years ago to create a wall garden that was lit up with LEDs. Timber to Tokyo gave him the chance to realise his vision.
“When this competition came up it all kind of married together quite well,” he explained. “It’s very nice and modular and the timber worked really well.”
Alex’s main prize, a trip to Tokyo Designers Week at the end of October/beginning of November, will provide him with a unique opportunity to see what’s happening in design in that part of the world.
“It will give me an opportunity to go see what’s happening in a really design-orientated country,” Alex said. “Japan is very forward-thinking, and they’ve got their own style and their own way of doing things, and I do enjoy the way they design, so I think it will be nice to see what they’re up to.
“I’d really like to get an understanding of the city and country life and look for inspiration in that, and maybe meet some designers and manufacturers over there.”
Stay tuned for more as Alex brings us his impressions and updates of Tokyo Designers Week in November, when he blogs for Big River from the event.







Re:new in Tokyo
Henley Street by Jon Clements
Trojan House by Jackson Clements Burrows
Timber to Tokyo – The Finalists
Oak Flooring from Big River