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.

Join, Isokon

2025

Plinth for ‘Martyrs’ installation

2015

Lumiere Apartments

2007

Jameson House

2011

Buenos Aires Ciudad Casa de Gobierno

2015

National Bank of Kuwait

2020

Hearst Headquarters

2006

ILE, Benchmark

2024

270 Park Avenue

2025

House in Japan

1992

Petronas University of Technology

2004

Shanghai Jiushi Corporation

2001

Tono, Porcelanosa

2016

Kamakura House

2004

50 United Nations Plaza

2015

Modular Skylights, Velux

2012

Chesham Place

2008

FIO, Ichendorf Milano

2025

Faena House

2015

Thames Hub

2011

EVA, Lumina

2016

20-06 Emeco

2006

Maggie’s Manchester

2016

Supreme Court Singapore

2005

Arcoris Mont' Kiara

2019

Center for Clinical Science Research, Stanford University

2000

Lenbachhaus

2013

OXMAN Studio

2024

Index Tower

2011

Budenberg Haus, Urban Splash

2005