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.

1292, FSB

2024

425 Park Avenue

2022

Marine Simulator Centre

1993

Buenos Aires Ciudad Casa de Gobierno

2015

EVE, Lumina

2019

Kamakura House

2004

VIO, Ichendorf Milano

2025

Bishops Square

2005

AYA, Benchmark

2023

Cove, Poltrona Frau

2018

Center for Clinical Science Research, Stanford University

2000

Chesham Place

2008

Dot, Lumina

2016

Free University

2005

20-06 Emeco

2006

Hoy, Artemide

2018

Hotel Silken Puerta América

2005

Ixa, Artemide

2022

Jameson House

2011

Vea, Artemide

2024

Plinth for ‘Martyrs’ installation

2015

Orsa, Artemide

2016

Foster 500/505 series, Walter Knoll

2006

Ori, Danese Milano

2025

Apple Westlake, Hangzhou

2015

Nanshan Technology Finance City

2019

NF Collection, Karimoku

2022

American Air Museum

1997

Petronas University of Technology

2004

Leedon Park House

2006