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.

Wind Turbine

1995

Osuu, Walter Knoll

2024

1292, FSB

2024

Djanogly City Academy

2005

Buenos Aires Ciudad Casa de Gobierno

2015

Index Tower

2011

Century Tower

1991

Yacht Club de Monaco

2014

Tia, Lumina

2019

Ava, Molteni&C

2019

Arcoris Mont' Kiara

2019

Elements, UniFor

2014

Steve Jobs Theater

2017

Thames Hub

2011

Addition to Joslyn Art Museum

1994

FT, Trapex

2004

Foster 520, Walter Knoll

2012

Table Y, UniFor

2023

Bishops Square

2005

Capella Resort

2009

Red Dot Design Museum

1997

Join, Isokon

2025

McLaren Production Centre

2011

Jameson House

2011

425 Park Avenue

2022

Carré d'Art

1992

Budenberg Haus, Urban Splash

2005

UAE Pavilion Milan Expo 2015

2015

Bilbao Metro

1995

Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building

2006