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.

Hotel Silken Puerta América

2005

Lenbachhaus

2013

Le Dôme Winery

2021

Izanami Motor Yacht

1995

Panthalassa, sailing yacht

2009

ENEL Power Pylons

2000

Canary Wharf Underground Station

1999

Cathay Pacific Lounges, Hong Kong International Airport

2013

LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R, LG Electronics

2019

Apple Westlake, Hangzhou

2015

Lumiere Apartments

2007

Carré d'Art

1992

250 City Road

2026

LEVA, Mattiazzi

2019

Beijing Capital International Airport

2008

ME London

2013

OVO Hydro

2013

AYA, Benchmark

2023

Deutsche Bank Place

2005

Cove, Poltrona Frau

2018

Free University

2005

Gerling Ring

2001

Foster 520, Walter Knoll

2012

Arcoris Mont' Kiara

2019

Soft Cells, Kvadrat Acoustics

2004

Petronas University of Technology

2004

Repsol service stations

1998

Tiers, Escofet

2024

Addition to Joslyn Art Museum

1994

Vea, Artemide

2024