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.

Canary Wharf Underground Station

1999

Tiers, Escofet

2024

Maggie’s Manchester

2016

Century Tower

1991

Marine Simulator Centre

1993

PwC, More London

2009

Center for Clinical Science Research, Stanford University

2000

Gerling Ring

2001

Cathay Pacific Lounges, Hong Kong International Airport

2013

The Murezzan

2007

Capella Resort

2009

Steve Jobs Theater

2017

Orsa, Artemide

2016

Foster 620, Walter Knoll

2018

Teso, Molteni&C

2013

ENEL Power Pylons

2000

Foster 525, Walter Knoll

2016

Beijing Capital International Airport

2008

Plinth for ‘Martyrs’ installation

2015

The Troika

2011

National Bank of Kuwait

2020

Modular Skylights, Velux

2012

Gabriela Hearst store furniture

2019

Hoy, Artemide

2018

Panthalassa, sailing yacht

2009

Wind Turbine

1995

VIO, Ichendorf Milano

2025

Apple Park

2017

Gather, Escofet

2024

Repsol service stations

1998