Lacey, WA − A cutting-edge environmental development for ECONET, Inc. that is a first for this area of Washington State and on the cutting edge of corporate campus development world wide, is set to break ground in Lacey, Washington in early 2007. ECONET, Inc., parent company for Unigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aloecorp, Inc. and Univera LifeSciences, Inc., is part of a global family of health and natural product companies with operations in the United States, South Korea, Russia, China and Mexico.
"ECONET has just concluded an intensive process of reviewing highly qualified international architectural firms before making the selection for this project," said Regan Miles, CEO of Unigen Pharmaceuticals and ECONET Project Leader for the development. Recognizing their awarded design capabilities and environmental sensitivity to the Pacific Northwest, The Miller Hull Partnership of Seattle has been named Master Plan and Concept Design architects for the project. The 5 year vision for the 40-acre Lacey site, which is being project managed by Page Kirkland Group USA of Los Angeles, is an impressive undertaking that is certain to raise the national benchmark for corporate campus design.
Derek Hall, CEO of ECONET stated that "Respect for the existing flora and topography of the site while creating an environment that is nurturing to staff and visitors, is core to ECONET's vision of the campus and represents an icon of this idea to the community. " The cutting-edge environmental development of the site includes purpose-designed environmentally embracing buildings. In addition to the corporate headquarters, the campus will offer child care, a wellness institute and spa, fitness center, wooded jogging tracks, meditation trail, water features, green houses, demonstration gardens, a production farm and overnight lodging for guests. Education-focused programs will highlight ECONET's 'from farm to family' vertical integration platforn featuring raw material production, research and development, and manufacturing of ECONET's innovative science-based healthy products.
The recently concluded inspirational design charrette for the project engaged numerous consultants, including structural and civil engineers; Magnusson Klemencic Associates, electrical and mechanical engineers; PAE, interior design firm; 33 Design; planning and landscape architecture consultants; Belt Collins and landscape architects; Rich Haag Associates. It is noteworthy, given ECONET's mission, 'to bring the best of nature to mankind', that Rich Haag is the reigning gold medalist for the American Society for Landscape Architects.