On this episode of Workspace Design Lab, host Syl sits down with Darryl McCracken, Operations Manager at NovaLink. With over 30 years of experience, Darryl shares the evolution of modular furniture, how industrial design shaped his approach to problem-solving, and the importance of creating flexible, future-ready solutions. From his early days as a CAD detailer to leading operations, Darryl offers deep insights into what it takes to design for change in modern workplaces.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• How industrial design fosters problem-solving in furniture development
• The evolution from beam systems to modular frame systems
• Why simple floor plans deliver the most flexibility
• How NovaLink’s building block approach supports reconfiguration
• The impact of client feedback on continuous product improvement
• Why NovaLink designs furniture for long-term flexibility and reuse
• Strategies for minimizing downtime during reconfiguration
• The importance of durable materials in sustainable furniture systems
• How archived job files enable part recreation decades later
• Darryl’s reflections on 30+ years of workspace innovation

BEST MOMENTS
00:02:55. “I didn't know what it was before I started the design classes.”
00:04:00. “It was just natural for me to want to create things and build.”
00:05:23. “It was recognized by management and I said you would work well in engineering management.”
00:07:12. “Each job, there's different aspects to it, challenges. So that's what keeps the variety.”
00:08:55. “Simple is best. You lose so much space with complicated layouts.”
00:10:58. “Our base modules, you can actually walk through the door.”
00:17:19. “You can have a desk redone in 3 hours.”
00:20:01. “We can recreate anything that we have in the past. Again, within reason.”

Workspace Design Lab | Healthy Spaces, Lasting Impact

🔗 Explore NovaLink’s product and process for effortless workspace design:
https://novalink.com

📅 New episodes release every 2nd Thursday at 6 AM ET / GMT-4.

Join host Syl VanderPark as we explore ergonomic office design, modern interiors, and sustainable workspace solutions with architects, designers, and industry leaders.

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4x47wvr2

💡 If this conversation helped you reimagine what a workspace can be, share it with a colleague or client. Together we can design offices that support wellbeing, productivity, and lasting impact.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com

In this premiere episode of Workspace Design Lab, host Syl Vander Park sits down with her father, Tony Vander Park, President and Design Director at NovaLink. Together, they explore the origin and evolution of Series 7.8, a parametric console workstation designed for real-time adjustment, ergonomic precision, and lasting sustainability. This episode captures Tony’s deep design philosophy, manufacturing insights, and a legacy of human-centered innovation.

IN THIS EPISODE
• What sets Series 7.8 apart from Series 7.5
• How bi-directional monitor movement supports visibility and interaction
• The significance of ADA compliance and anti-fatigue workstations
• Patent insights from years of ergonomic console design
• How modular design supports sustainability and longevity
• The origins of the term “Parametric Contract Furniture”
• Real-world use cases from traders, utilities, and control rooms
• How NovaLink consoles are built to support changing tech
• The role of Canadian manufacturing in sustainability
• Legacy insights from over 30 years of workspace evolution

BEST MOMENTS
00:01:44. “Series 7.8 was developed as a follow through from Series 7.5.”
00:03:02. “The monitor rack can go that low as well.”
00:04:09. “Once the monitors are down low enough, the user can see over top of the monitors.”
00:05:34. “The patent lawyer had an easy time making the case.”
00:08:22. “Series 7.8 does all of that really good stuff.”
00:10:00. “Touch of a button, they all move back and forth.”
00:14:36. “You can make these changes. And that's really what it's all about.”
00:25:19. “That was our very first height-adjustable workstation.”
00:51:20. “It opens up whole doors to possibilities that weren’t there before.”

Workspace Design Lab | Healthy Spaces, Lasting Impact

🔗 Explore NovaLink’s product and process for effortless workspace design:
https://novalink.com

📅 New episodes release every 2nd Thursday at 6 AM ET / GMT-4.

Join host Syl VanderPark as we explore ergonomic office design, modern interiors, and sustainable workspace solutions with architects, designers, and industry leaders.

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4x47wvr2

💡 If this conversation helped you reimagine what a workspace can be, share it with a colleague or client. Together we can design offices that support wellbeing, productivity, and lasting impact.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com

The best workspaces aren’t just filled with furniture, they’re designed with people in mind.

Welcome to Workspace Design Lab, the podcast where we explore the stories behind the spaces that shape the way we work and live. From innovative office design to human-centered environments that support health, productivity, and collaboration, this show uncovers how thoughtful design creates lasting impact.

Workspace Design Lab | Healthy Spaces, Lasting Impact

🔗 Explore NovaLink’s product and process for effortless workspace design:
https://novalink.com

📅 New episodes release every 2nd Thursday at 6 AM ET / GMT-4.

Join host Syl VanderPark as we explore ergonomic office design, modern interiors, and sustainable workspace solutions with architects, designers, and industry leaders.

Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/4x47wvr2

💡 If this conversation helped you reimagine what a workspace can be, share it with a colleague or client. Together we can design offices that support wellbeing, productivity, and lasting impact.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com