As a design professional, figuring out all the complex details of a home is how we make a living. If you haven't already done so, you might consider hiring a local architect to assist you.

In the event that someone else finds this post, MotherEarth News and other homesteading publications offer plans for root cellars and rural outbuildings to assist with more self-sufficient living. If the construction is more that you can manage, by all means, consult a local craftsman or contractor.

Sustainability should be marked by inclusivity, ingenuity and democracy. It should never be exclusively left to professionals. If able, we can all find ways to develop useful skills and participate in this amazing effort to build more thoughtfully.