Heinz Isler: shells for two churches

This paper describes the concept, design and realisation of two churches where Heinz Isler (1926-2009) was responsible for the structural design and in one case also for the architectural concept. One example, the Heilig Geist Kirche (Holy Spirit Church) Lommiswil, near Solothurn, Switzerland (1967) includes, unusually for Isler, a “hypar” shell whilst the other, the “Steinkirche” of the Evangelische Kirchgemeinde in Cazis, Switzerland (1996), is derived directly from given natural forms

First Run II Measurement of the W Boson Mass with CDF

The CDF collaboration has analyzed ~200/pb of Tevatron Run II data taken between February 2002 and September 2003 to measure the W boson mass. With a sample of 63964 W->e nu decays and 51128 W->mu nu decays, we measure M_W = 80413+-34(stat)+-34(syst) MeV. The total measurement uncertainty of 48 MeV makes this result the most precise single measurement of the W boson mass to date.Comment: Conference Proceedings for Rencontres de Moriond EW 200

Ending Hunger in Montgomery County

Though Montgomery County is listed as the 20th wealthiest county in the United States and has been ranked the 9th Best Place to Raise a Family by Forbes Magazine, it has seen an extraordinary increase in eligibility for food stamps. Such an increase suggests that families are struggling to pay for food and other basic needs. Food insecurity, known as the lack of access to enough food for an active and healthy life, is associated with an increase in developmental risk, risk of poor health, and poor school performance. Food insecurity is also associated with increased rates of maternal depressive symptoms, exposure to childhood violence, and stress disorders. This report provides a preliminary needs assessment regarding food insecurity and hunger for Montgomery County by utilizing multiple data sources, connecting with key stakeholders, and understanding the immediate and long-term needs of low?income families. It describes a variety of measures for food insecurity and food hardship, showing that approximately 16% of children were food insecure in Montgomery County in 2011. For potentially more severe forms of food insecurity, where people cut the size of their meal due to lack of money, the overall rate rose from 5.0% in 2004 to 8.6% in 2010. Increases in this rate were more pronounced in Pottstown and Norristown compared to the North Penn area. Clearly, efforts at protecting vulnerable citizens in the North Penn area have helped to limit the negative effects of the recession

Environmental aspects of tensile membrane enclosed spaces

Buildings enclosed by fabric membranes are very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions as a result of their low mass and low thermal insulation values. Development in material technology and the understanding of the structural behaviour of tensile membrane structures along with the vast progress in computer formfinding software, has made it possible for structural design of tensile membrane structures to be approached with almost total confidence. On the contrary, understanding of the environmental behaviour in the spaces enclosed by fabric membrane and their thermal performance is still in its infancy, which to some extent has hindered their wide acceptance by the building industry. The environmental behaviour of tensile membrane structures is outlined and the possible use of the fabric’s topology and geometry particularly to enhance ventilation rates and airflow velocities within the enclosed space is discussed. A need for further research in this area is identified in order to fully realise the potential benefits offered by these structures

Use of fabric membrane topology as an intermediate environment modifier

This paper describes the pattern of airflow around membrane structures, and how they along with the form of the structure itself affect the ventilation rates within their enclosures or their immediate vicinity. Examples that have successfully used membrane skins in the built environment will be reviewed. The possible use of tensile membrane structures topology and orientation to enhance ventilation rates and natural cooling within the semi-enclosed spaces will be discussed. The use of the indigenous fabric skin to tackle key climatic concerns in a simple, elegant manner is discussed along with the review of the wind tunnel experimental visualisation and measurements carried out by the author. These structures go beyond simply providing shading to illustrate innovative, environmentally friendly fabric Architecture, but if properly understood the fabric’s form and topology can play an effective role in the ventilation and natural cooling of spaces in their immediate vicinity