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.

Project Experience

OVO, Benchmark

2018

Foster 510, Walter Knoll

2008

Dot, Lumina

2016

California State University Channel Islands

2008

Repsol service stations

1998

Kamakura House

2004

McLaren Technology Centre

2004

Le Dôme Winery

2021

The Murezzan

2007

Old Spitalfields Market

2017

MA, Falper

2023

AYA, Benchmark

2023

Foster Collection, Stelton

2018

OXMAN Studio

2024

Lumiere Apartments

2007

Panthalassa, sailing yacht

2009

ME London

2013

LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R, LG Electronics

2019

Join, Isokon

2025

Masdar City

2014

ENEL Power Pylons

2000

Tiers, Escofet

2024

Cove, Poltrona Frau

2018

Canary Wharf Underground Station

1999

Gerling Ring

2001

Yacht Club de Monaco

2014

Supreme Court Singapore

2005

The Troika

2011

House in Japan

1992

Ori, Danese Milano

2025