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

DUO Central Park

2018

Arcoris Mont' Kiara

2019

Cove, Poltrona Frau

2018

UAE Pavilion Shanghai Expo 2010

2010

EY Headquarters

2008

Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Headquarters

1986

Edward P. Evans Hall, Yale School of Management

2014

The YachtPlus Fleet

2009

Masdar Institute

2015

ICÔNE

2023

Steve Jobs Theater

2017

Red Dot Design Museum

1997

House in Corsica

1993

California State University Channel Islands

2008

Reichstag, New German Parliament

1999

Marine Simulator Centre

1993

World Port Centre

2000

Maggie’s Manchester

2016

Yacht Club de Monaco

2014

James H. Clark Center, Stanford University

2003

JCDecaux Headquarters

2000

Shanghai Bund Riverside

2020

Fortaleza Hall and the Commons

2010

American Air Museum

1997

Ilham Tower

2016

50 United Nations Plaza

2015

Repsol service stations

1998

Hankook Technodome

2016

Duisburg Inner Harbour Masterplan

2003

North Greenwich Interchange

1998