Build into a bank/ground, utilize the sun, face the building accordingly. Do away with this idea of a traditional building. Use the earth to stabilize the interior of the building, moderate it with dirt. This removes a lot of infrastructure of a building. Much less insulative material is needed. Less area of windows choices, put them all on the south side. Triple glaze, as in greenhouse with in a greenhouse with in a greenhouse. Timber framed walls between these rooms to accommodate the glazing with minimal framing. Vent the earthen enclosed area so it breaths, this is driven by the heat of the south facing glazing, a self driven engine. Very little siding, low to the ground so no 3 story building to fall off while constructing, low visibility to the surroundings and it is less susceptible to high winds. Low pitched simple roof systems. Did I mention almost nothing to paint year after year.

Yes, Earthship driven. Be creative in your buildings. There are too many choices of insulating or enclosing most building and timber frames are no different. I think we need to rethink how we build, in general.