Mud walls
If you have the time and energy then the cheapness of building walls from locally obtained earth can't be beaten. Providing great insulation, a grand aesthetic and no cavities for the rodents to move into mud/earth walls are one of the best options for low cost building which results in a low cost to maintain structure.
Example 1 - Mud walls under pole supported roof.
The house below was built by a woman well past her fiftieth birthday. Chicken wire is strung between the uprights, mud - yup just wet earth - plopped into the 'gap' between the wire. A slightly different mud mix is used to render the outside for weather proofing.
In one of the pics you can see the finer bird wire used alongside the poles, to give the mud more 'purchase' at these thinner layers.
Various found windows and glass doors comprise the north wall such that the winter sun can enter and heat the solid (concrete but could also be done with earth) floor. Cosy in the winter even without the fire.
Some small amount of research can provide you with the information on how big to make your eaves (the roof overhang) such that the summer sun never heats the walls but allows the winter sun as much access as possible. Good eaves also help protect the earth walls from rain washing. Should some erosion occur at least your maintenance is only a bucket of mud away.
In one of the pics you can see the finer bird wire used alongside the poles, to give the mud more 'purchase' at these thinner layers.
Various found windows and glass doors comprise the north wall such that the winter sun can enter and heat the solid (concrete but could also be done with earth) floor. Cosy in the winter even without the fire.
Some small amount of research can provide you with the information on how big to make your eaves (the roof overhang) such that the summer sun never heats the walls but allows the winter sun as much access as possible. Good eaves also help protect the earth walls from rain washing. Should some erosion occur at least your maintenance is only a bucket of mud away.
