What Is A Wing On A House?

What Is A Wing On A House?

A wing is a subordinate structure that is part of a building or any of its features. It can either be attached directly to the central building or connected to it through a linking structure such as a colonnade or pergola.

The existence of wings in a building can either be planned from the beginning of its construction or added later on as an extension or renovation. Wings play an important role in adding additional space and functionality to a building.

History Of Wing Structure

Classical and Palladian architecture features smaller buildings, known as wings, connected to the main structure (corps de logis) by colonnades or quadrants.

These wings often extend partially in front to form a court or courtyard of honor. During medieval and early modern times, royalty and nobles would upgrade their palaces, villas, and stately homes to appear more affluent and powerful.

The size of the building complex was directly proportional to the wealth and influence of the owner. Iconic examples of grand palaces and stately homes include the Palace of Versailles, Lateran Palace in Rome, and Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam.

Wing On A House Today

In contemporary architecture, the addition of wings is a common feature in public buildings and commercial spaces. These wings serve various purposes, and can be specifically designed for certain functions.

Hospitals, for instance, often have different wings dedicated to different departments. The naming of wings can reflect their function (such as the Cardiac Wing), location (such as the East Wing), or be named after a notable person (such as the Cavendish Wing).

The presence of wings allows for increased natural lighting and improved safety measures, as they provide more window surface area and shorten escape routes in safety-critical buildings like laboratories, compared to larger, monolithic structures with the same floor area.