Our Founder
Emily Wardell
Designer • Builder • Environmental Educator
Founder Emily Wardell is a skilled designer and builder with over 15 years of experience in construction and project management.
She was raised in Central Texas to a family who sustainably gardened — not just for beauty, but to feed their family. Her mother taught her about gardening and herbs; her father, a biology teacher, instilled a deep knowledge of plant identification and pest management.
She began her career in a plant nursery, developing expertise in botany and propagation. Through positions with the LCRA she learned maintenance, invasive species management, erosion control, and hardscape construction, then went on to develop curriculum and lead environmental education workshops on the Colorado River.
She has led fundraising initiatives for local schools and organizations and produces art programming — giving her unique insight into how designed spaces tell our stories and facilitate connection.
Emily spent several years in education and youth mentorship before starting 512 Phoenix, studying simultaneously under a master carpenter and master gardener. Her hands-on experience gives her the knowledge to create smart designs, anticipate hurdles, present solutions, and lead a team.
She is committed to educating her clients and community about smart designs and the practices for regenerative landscaping and water conservation in our region.
She has led fundraising initiatives for local schools and organizations and produces art programming, which gives her unique insight into how designed spaces have the ability to tell our stories and facilitate connection.
Emily spent several years in education and youth mentorship before starting 512 Phoenix. She also studied simultaneously under a master carpenter and master gardener. Her hands-on experience has given her the necessary knowledge to create smart designs, anticipate hurdles, present solutions, and lead a team.
She is committed to educating her clients and community about smart designs and the practices for regenerative landscaping and water conservation in our region.