Just found this one.

Thank you so much. Am surprised that these efficient fireplaces are not discussed and shown more.

Russian fireplaces are great, aren't they? Especially if there is a sleeping area (like a loft bed or upper bunk) above the fireplace. So cozy during cold winter nights.
Believe it or not, I found more than enough information, diagrams, measurements, and building instructions in books at the public library (USA).

Yes they are. Have never seen one with a bunk or sleeping platform. My father used to tell me of a neighbor from Russia who had one. Never got to see it. Would like to build such structure and have a contractor in Maine but the are not socializing it having a sleeping area - yet.

You could hang a hammock along one side of the fireplace in a pinch.

If you can get your contractor to build a loft above the fireplace or "box beds" (see photos on Houzz) on one or both sides or behind the fireplace, be sure that there is adequate fresh air flow for the sleepers.

As you know, this type of fireplace is massive. It takes a lot of fuel to get it heated up and to maintain the heat. I am curious to know what type of fuel you are thinking of using.
Our dwelling was in the forest, so we hauled dead trees and dead tree branches from acres and acres around us to keep at least a full cord of of wood ready at any one time.

Please post progress photos.

Would enjoy any pictures of such a fireplace with a bed. Have no idea what it looks like.

Look in the Fine Home Building index as they have had a number of good series on their construction during the last oil crisis in the 90's
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=russian+stove+construction&view=detail&id=D62D557DEC3C87972F958E9F5463D0ABB7EBBF6B or http://www.stove.ru/index.php?lng=1&rs=15

We are currently building a home and we have built one in our new home. It is in the center of our home, and is 2 sided. It also has a "white oven", which most people call a pizza oven on the kitchen side. It is called a contraflow heater and it is radiant heat. It heats your home and as long as the fireplace is warm, you can cook in the oven. it also burns very clean.

That is quite a nice piece of craftsmanship. Hope you enjoy it.

Jmorjard, have you had time to look through the Bing photos that Custom Home Planning Center sent? Did you see the ones with sleeping spaces? (Some are very rustic.) What are your thoughts?

Just looked at them. Thank you. My thoughts are that I have a lot to learn. I realize I cannot retrofit a my home with such a construction without significant effort. Then the question is, do I build an addition that permits the space needed to make such advantages. To have an efficient form of heat, a heated bed, an oven, and a cooktop all in one is enormous but apparently doable. Thank you again for your help. Those websites will be studied.

Please keep us posted. :)