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.

EY Headquarters

2008

Djanogly City Academy

2005

Hearst Headquarters

2006

National Bank of Kuwait

2020

Cathay Pacific Lounges, Hong Kong International Airport

2013

Canary Wharf Underground Station

1999

ENEL Power Pylons

2000

Elephant House, Copenhagen Zoo

2008

McLaren Technology Centre

2004

Maggie’s Manchester

2016

Apple Park

2018

Leedon Park House

2006

Deutsche Bank Place

2005

250 City Road

2025

Century Tower

1991

Reichstag, New German Parliament

1999

Carré d'Art

1992

Thames Hub

2011

Yacht Club de Monaco

2014

California State University Channel Islands

2008

Faena House

2015

The Troika

2011

Dot, Lumina

2016

American Air Museum

1997

Shanghai Jiushi Corporation

2001

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

2006

Supreme Court Singapore

2005

Marine Simulator Centre

1993

ME London

2013

50 United Nations Plaza

2015