The change of family social status

The change of family social status is the main factor for the development of educational architecture. The social structure of Huainan Salt-producing Town in the Qing Dynasty was mainly composed of salt merchants, managers, wealthy salt producers, and other related industrial populations. Among them, despite the educational needs and funding of salt merchants, managers, and wealthy salt producers, educational buildings have achieved sustained and stable development. Merchants’ support for educational buildings is primarily for the long-term development of the family. Although merchants are extremely wealthy, their social status is generally low due to the influence of long-term culture. To change the status quo of the family and for the long-term development of future generations, they value cultural education very much. The second is to show their financial strength and status. By hiring famous teachers, building school buildings, and funding many students to help them complete their studies, salt merchants show their wealth to the world. With their support, educational buildings have been continuously developed and gradually have an important impact on the salt-producing town.