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.

AYA, Benchmark

2023

EVA, Lumina

2016

Gabriela Hearst store furniture

2019

425 Park Avenue

2022

Center for Clinical Science Research, Stanford University

2000

Cove, Poltrona Frau

2018

Foster 525, Walter Knoll

2016

PwC, More London

2009

Hoy, Artemide

2018

Join, Isokon

2025

Capella Resort

2009

Ori, Danese Milano

2025

Repsol service stations

1998

Wind Turbine

1995

Yacht Club de Monaco

2014

MA, Falper

2023

Samson Pavilion, CWRU and Cleveland Clinic

2019

Red Dot Design Museum

1997

Lenbachhaus

2013

Cathay Pacific Lounges, Hong Kong International Airport

2013

Orsa, Artemide

2016

Bloomberg

2017

Izanami Motor Yacht

1995

Foster 500/505 series, Walter Knoll

2006

Gerling Ring

2001

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

1978

FIO, Ichendorf Milano

2025

Arcoris Mont' Kiara

2019

Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building

2006

Arc, Molteni&C

2010