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.

Canary Wharf Underground Station

1999

The Troika

2011

NF Collection, Karimoku

2022

OVO, Benchmark

2018

Kamakura House

2004

Cathay Pacific Lounges, Hong Kong International Airport

2013

Hotel Silken Puerta América

2005

Osuu, Walter Knoll

2024

Jameson House

2011

Faena House

2015

Vicino, Molteni&C

2015

Arcoris Mont' Kiara

2019

FIO, Ichendorf Milano

2025

House in Japan

1992

The Corniche

2019

Apple Park

2018

Foster Collection, Stelton

2018

Teso, Molteni&C

2013

Reichstag, New German Parliament

1999

UAE Pavilion Milan Expo 2015

2015

Node, Lindner Parc

2017

Thames Hub

2011

Foster 520, Walter Knoll

2012

Foster 512, Walter Knoll

2016

Apple Westlake, Hangzhou

2015

LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R, LG Electronics

2019

Ori, Danese Milano

2025

Izanami Motor Yacht

1995

Petronas University of Technology

2004

Tono, Porcelanosa

2016