David Nelson

Senior Executive Partner, Head of Design

RCA (MA)

David Nelson is a Senior Executive Partner, Head of Design and a member of the Design Board, a position he has held since 2004. Throughout his long career with Foster + Partners, he has played a key role in shaping its creative and operational direction. He has been involved in some of the practice’s most recognisable buildings, from the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Headquarters to Apple Park in Cupertino, as well as high profile projects in China, Singapore and Korea. As a member of the Design Board, David has an overview of every project. Each one benefits from the collective knowledge and expertise of Foster + Partners’ architects and specialist teams. The Design Board is at the heart of the design process, guiding and supporting teams, questioning, maintaining quality and focusing the practice’s collective experience at all stages. His understanding of the studio’s evolution, his open, collaborative mindset and continued leadership role has made David a key figure in Foster + Partners’ evolution; he also brings a global perspective, gained from living in Hong Kong and travelling extensively to construction sites and projects across the world.

David Nelson

In this studio our Specialist Design Services enhance the well-established role of what an architectural team has to achieve. Combining evermore diverse skills into the development of projects enriches and adds great meaning to everything we do. Continual development of shared experience is crucial.

Marine Simulator Centre

1993

Faena House

2015

The Troika

2011

National Bank of Kuwait

2020

Leedon Park House

2006

Deutsche Bank Place

2005

ENEL Power Pylons

2000

Izanami Motor Yacht

1995

Arcoris Mont' Kiara

2019

McLaren Technology Centre

2004

OVO Hydro

2013

Bilbao Metro

1995

Yacht Club de Monaco

2014

Nanshan Technology Finance City

2019

ME London

2013

Bishops Square

2005

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

1978

Buenos Aires Ciudad Casa de Gobierno

2015

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

2006

Dot, Lumina

2016

Chesham Place

2008

Century Tower

1991

PwC, More London

2009

Jameson House

2011

Free University

2005

Cove, Poltrona Frau

2018

Masdar City

2014

Carré d'Art

1992

Djanogly City Academy

2005

250 City Road

2025