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

Shanghai Jiushi Corporation

2001

Foster 512, Walter Knoll

2016

Faena House

2015

Thames Hub

2011

Apple Westlake, Hangzhou

2015

1292, FSB

2024

Hoy, Artemide

2018

McLaren Technology Centre

2004

Canary Wharf Underground Station

1999

American Air Museum

1997

Jameson House

2011

Lenbachhaus

2013

Desk Z, UniFor

2023

FIO, Ichendorf Milano

2025

Gabriela Hearst store furniture

2019

Duisburg Inner Harbour Masterplan

2003

Masdar City

2014

UAE Pavilion Milan Expo 2015

2015

EVE, Lumina

2019

Takku, Artemide

2021

Tia, Lumina

2019

Palace of Peace and Reconciliation

2006

Chesham Place

2008

Gerling Ring

2001

Foster 500/505 series, Walter Knoll

2006

Osuu, Walter Knoll

2024

Foster Collection, Stelton

2018

Panthalassa, sailing yacht

2009

Join, Isokon

2025

Repsol service stations

1998