Here is an interesting link......I like how the larsen truss works. Infill with many choices. http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/articles/larsentruss.htm

I like to know how the house will be heated, if it is local wood cut by the owner and handled by them then they can choose to insulate the house to a lesser degree, if they want to. If Oil or other processed fuel is used than the more insulation the better.

Sometimes it just ain't simple, no way around it. Build a well insulated smaller home, and one story tall. The home in the link is to tall.

Tim