Some data to take into account when building

This is all standard construction techniques, but they have excellent explanations for why to do things. Worth looking at before you build naturally, and make sure the concepts you are using are filling the needs that a house has.

This is their series on healthy homes, that don't get moldy, stuffy, rot, etc. Worth reading if you are doing anything involving a house, including living in one!

GM-0602:READ THIS: Before You Design, Build, or Renovate -- on Buildingscience.com

GM-0606: READ THIS: Before You Move In -- on Buildingscience.com

GM-0604: READ THIS: Before You Ventilate -- on Buildingscience.com

And if you are a landlord, or buying or renting something old
GM-0603: READ THIS: Before You Turn Over a Unit -- on Buildingscience.com

A piece off the first link, so you can see what kind of stuff they say:

The principles for a healthy home are the same for all types of construction: rehabilitation, new construction, low rise, high-rise, single family or multifamily.

The design and construction options for rehabilitation are limited by conditions of the salvaged building and equipment and extent of the rehabilitation. Despite the limitations, the same principles apply to whatever work is done as part of the rehabilitation.

There are seven principles to a healthy home. Ideally, a healthy home is:

   Dry
   Pest free
   Clean
   Toxic chemical free
   Well ventilated
   Comfortable
   Combustion by-product free

Not all principles can be controlled by design, construction, renovation and maintenance. How we live in a home also matters. And not all principles can be achieved perfectly or completely or practically — they are goals.

Applying the principles for a healthy home to design, construction, renovation and maintenance does not have to result in significant cost increases. By understanding the interactions between building systems we can identify cost saving trade-offs that improve building performance and improve control of interior conditions such as comfort — particularly temperature and interior humidity.

There are download links at the bottom of each article. I have "Before You Design, Build, or Renovate" open on my computer right now and it's a 52 page PDF with lots of pictures. Lots of good information!