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.

ME London

2013

The Corniche

2019

Red Dot Design Museum

1997

Reichstag, New German Parliament

1999

Cathay Pacific Lounges, Hong Kong International Airport

2013

Leedon Park House

2006

Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building

2006

Buenos Aires Ciudad Casa de Gobierno

2015

PwC, More London

2009

Deutsche Bank Place

2005

Marine Simulator Centre

1993

Budenberg Haus, Urban Splash

2005

Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Headquarters

1986

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

2006

National Bank of Kuwait

2020

425 Park Avenue

2022

Maggie’s Manchester

2016

50 United Nations Plaza

2015

The Murezzan

2007

McLaren Production Centre

2011

Elephant House, Copenhagen Zoo

2008

Bilbao Metro

1995

Addition to Joslyn Art Museum

1994

Repsol service stations

1998

Petronas University of Technology

2004

Capella Resort

2009

Apple Westlake, Hangzhou

2015

Faena House

2015

Izanami Motor Yacht

1995

OVO Hydro

2013