So I love long low MCM ranch style homes. We have on it is 75 25 ‘ on the main floor we are on a sloped lot so we have a full walkout basement . IMO a very affordable way to build good square footage and we also have a fabulous view and so all the main living areas face the view and the bedooms to some extent too. I find vaulted ceilings a waste of heating and cooling my ceilings are typical 8’ ones that I love actually. I do not like attached garages but we could add one to our house but with great difficulty so our garage is further back and separate we live in BC and yes sometimes we need to carry groceries in the winter but not a big deal.We get very hot here in the summer low 90 to low 100s we have a huge overhang on the south side of the house that faces the view it stops the sun from beating in the windows in the summer but allows itin to heat in the winter .Our home is definately not rustic but the overhang is just areally practical thing and could cerstainly be a covered porch I guess but I love natural light in my house so no covered porch for me.

There are important considerations in addition to the lowest cost. What you need is a realistic budget so you can begin to find a balance of cost vs benefit.

That is a good start on the information to share with a competent local architect. They will have questions to ask you and answers for your questions. I am not sure if you have a question but this is the advice I have for you for the best outcome.

In my experience going modular can keep your cost down. We loved the Ritzcraft "Amanda" model for a single story layout, but sadly, it didn't fit on our lot. Check it out. Very visually interesting. It can be done as a two story as well, but we had it priced out as a one story and found it reasonable. Good luck, Sounds like a beautiful site.

Whether a rectangular shape or L-shape is more economical to build depends on the particulars of the building site. Since you are particularly concerned about construction cost vs. your budget, I suggest you contact some local builders and ask about the cost to build homes similar to what you have in mind.

That is exactly what I want a shoebox house with sloped root for a loft for grandkids 2 bedrooms at each end of the home kitchen in the middle with Island and front or back of home with mostly glass doors that will open up to large deck overlooking north ga mountains

Obviously a rectangle shape is cheaper than an L shape but you're getting your design priorities out of order.