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.

California State University Channel Islands

2008

Apple Westlake, Hangzhou

2015

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

1978

Jameson House

2011

The Corniche

2019

Lenbachhaus

2013

ENEL Power Pylons

2000

Steve Jobs Theater

2017

Index Tower

2011

Hotel Silken Puerta América

2005

Carré d'Art

1992

The Troika

2011

250 City Road

2025

Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building

2006

Leedon Park House

2006

Capella Resort

2009

Masdar City

2014

Faena House

2015

Reichstag, New German Parliament

1999

Thames Hub

2011

Center for Clinical Science Research, Stanford University

2000

UAE Pavilion Milan Expo 2015

2015

Repsol service stations

1998

Arcoris Mont' Kiara

2019

Yacht Club de Monaco

2014

50 United Nations Plaza

2015

Buenos Aires Ciudad Casa de Gobierno

2015

Century Tower

1991

EY Headquarters

2008

McLaren Technology Centre

2004