Workspace Design Lab – Episode 1 – Tony VanderPark and Adaptive Workstations: The Future of High-Performance Control Rooms

Published October 9 2025

Discover how adaptive workstations are moving beyond basic ergonomics to support real-time user needs and long-term ocular health. This episode explores the engineering required to build furniture that moves with the operator.

In this episode of Workspace Design Lab, host Syl Vander Park speaks with Tony Vander Park, President and Co-Founder of NovaLink. They discuss the transition from static monitor supports to the Series 7.8, a line of adaptive workstations designed for the world’s most demanding 24/7 environments.

The conversation dives into the “gutsy” decision-making process behind modern technical furniture design. We explore how adaptive workstations protect worker health and ensure a sustainable legacy for critical infrastructure. Tony explains how the team meets 22-inch ADA height requirements and implements bi-directional monitor movement to improve operator performance.

Key Takeaways:

Engineering for Human Health

• What defines truly adaptive workstations in a technical environment?
  Tony describes an adaptive workstation as one that the user can adjust in real time. Operators can press a button to move the work deck up or down while the monitors move backwards or forwards. This flexibility allows the user to accommodate different tasks and changing lighting conditions throughout a long shift.
• How does bi-directional movement support the health of the operator?
  Unlike standard desks, these workstations allow for depth-of-field adjustments. This movement provides essential ocular exercise, which helps prevent digital eye strain. By allowing the operator to change the distance of the screen, the workstation helps maintain focus and reduces physical fatigue over long hours.

Overcoming Design Challenges

• Why was the 22-inch height requirement a major design challenge? To achieve full ADA compliance, a workstation must drop to a minimum height of 22 inches. Tony explains that meeting this requirement while housing complex technology and massive monitor arrays required a complete rethink of traditional console architecture. The team utilized parametric design to solve these spatial constraints.
• What is the benefit of using parametric design for technical furniture? Parametric design allows NovaLink to create a modular system where every component is CNC-machined and independent. This means the furniture is not disposable. If a technology update occurs or a part breaks, the user can swap out individual components without replacing the entire workstation.

Sustainability and Legacy

• How does local manufacturing impact the sustainability of the product? NovaLink ensures higher quality and a lower carbon footprint by keeping manufacturing in-house and local. The team designs workstations for 95% recyclability and a lifespan of over 25 years. This aligns with the company philosophy of creating a “Sustainable Legacy” rather than following a disposable product cycle.
• What role does “The Oscar Project” play in NovaLink’s history? Tony cites “The Oscar Project” as a pivotal moment for the company. The team took extra steps in design and prototyping to deliver a high-quality, custom solution for government and military organizations. This project established the company’s reputation for being “gutsy” and committed to innovation.

Resources Mentioned

• Series 7.8 Adaptive Workstations
• ADA.gov Standards
• The Oscar Project
• NovaLink Sustainable Legacy
• Mayo Clinic Ocular Health Guide
• BIFMA Performance Standards

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Workspace Design Lab. If you are ready to move beyond static furniture and explore how adaptive workstations can transform your control room performance, visit NovaLink.com to view our technical drawings and design resources. Don’t forget to subscribe to YouTube for more insights into the future of ergonomic office design and sustainable workspace solutions.