Elszárnyai

Elszárnyai is a Hungarian architectural term that refers to the outer wings of a building—the portions that extend from the main central block and flank the façade. The word is formed from szárny, meaning wing, with prefixes and suffixes that indicate its external position and its plural reference to the wings of a structure.

In architectural usage, elszárnyai describe the parts of a structure that balance the central body, often creating a symmetrical composition. They may house service rooms, staircases, or ancillary spaces, and are frequently connected to the core by corridors or linking wings. The design of outer wings can vary in depth, height, and façade treatment, contributing to the overall rhythm and grandeur of the building while maintaining a cohesive visual language with the central block.

Historically, outer wings are common in palatial and institutional architecture, where a central corps de logis is flanked by one or more wings to form a formal, elongated silhouette. In some periods, the outer wings mirror the central mass, while in others they introduce subtle differentiation in scale or detailing to emphasize the building’s hierarchy and function.

In contemporary practice, the concept of outer wings remains a planning and aesthetic device, even when terms like elszárnyai are less frequently used. It continues to describe the architectural strategy of extending spaces outward from a central core to create balance, accessibility, and varied interior layouts.

See also: szárny, belső szárny, középső tömeg.