The Fragile Timber Structures of an Industrial Archaeology Building in Hunan Province: The Qing Dynasty Tea Factory of Anhua

The Tea Factory of Anhua is an Industrial Archaeological site along the Zijiang River. It is an area of great historical interest that could improve the area not only as a production site and a market for high-quality tea but also as a destination for visitors from Hunan and possibly even foreigners. To do this, however, it is necessary a general strategic plan of the area that puts in the first position the conservation of what remains, avoiding further demolitions and renovations that compromise the authenticity, charm and beauty of the place, compromising any possibility of its inclusion in the cultural heritage circuit of the province. This paper describes the teaching and research activities at Hunan University and Politecnico di Milano.