top of page
Heartwood - The Rising Sun Interiors-27.jpg

The Rising Sun, Reading

Design I.D. was honoured to refurbish and extend The Rising Sun, one of Reading’s oldest pubs, with a history stretching back to the 17th century. Formerly known as The Sun Inn, this landmark pub once hosted travelling circuses, housing animals in its rear barn until an infamous elephant stampede left the building in disrepair. Our brief was to bring new life to this historic property while preserving its unique character.


The project involved creating a new design scheme that converted the historic barn into a restaurant, kitchen, and bar, along with a new entrance and transforming the former car park into a vibrant garden space featuring a pergola, external bar, and garden pods. Initially, we proposed an extension to the barn with a parapet flat roof connecting to a front-facing gable, but local authorities requested a subtler design. In response, we developed an infill extension, carefully crafted to harmonise with the original structure through materials like feather-edge cladding, white-painted brick, and red roof tiles. 


The project took an unexpected turn during demolition when we uncovered an old basement beneath the barn which had collapsed during the animal stampede. This caused us to delay the construction phase and introduce structural solutions that didn’t compromise the integrity of the building.


Inside, we worked alongside our client’s interior designer to create a welcoming concept using reclaimed materials and preserving features like the original wall panelling. This approach maintained the pub’s rustic appeal while enhancing comfort for a modern dining experience.


Sustainability was at the forefront of our work, with a focus on repurposing materials to reduce environmental impact. Now, The Rising Sun stands as a beautifully revitalised community landmark, blending historic charm with modern functionality. This transformation ensures one of Reading’s oldest pubs remains a treasured gathering place for generations to come.
.​

bottom of page