Help with my home design

I never really know where to place my posts under the building section, as they don't truly fit one forum.  Anyway, I was just hoping to get some opinions of people that have dealt with passive technologies.  So my original plan was somewhat of a modern take on an earthship.  I don't have the manpower to build a real one and probably my climate isn't the best for one.  The plan was for a building approx 72'x24' southern facing using a concrete slab as foundation and concrete for the north wall.  The roof would be steel pitched to collect rain water on the north side and allow the correct southern exposure angle on the south side.  The south wall would include as many windows and sliding doors as possible.  I planned to berm up the north wall and run 4 cooling tubes through this berm and add roof vents on the highest part of the roof on the southern side.  I also planned to build some type of mass fire place.  I know rocket stoves are more efficient but I want some enjoyment of the flames as well.  Eventually I planned to be off grid but will be on grid for a year or 2 until I can get a good read on energy usage and then I plan to switch to solar for that.  So the technologies include rain collection, passive solar heating and heat capture on the slab floor, earth bermed rear wall to stabilize interior temps, cooling tubes and roof vent for passive cooling, and mass fireplace for heat.  I plan to supplement heat with wood burning stoves in the bedrooms and assist with cooling with mini split a/c unit.

I am in Missouri and we have very hot humid summers typically and cold dry winters.  I was just reading a post on here about cooling tubes being a poor choice for humid climates.  Plus I would be unable to place the tube entrance at a lower elevation than the exit if I went below grade instead of only through the berm.  The house is to be built somewhere near the lowest elevation besides a solid rock creek making it impossible to place the tubes below grade.  Is there any type of cooling I can use the creek for?  What kind of passive technologies would you recommend in that type of climate?  What would you change about the plans?  I should mention the windows on the southern wall are somewhat non negotiable.  I want a constant view of nature.  Should I ditch the berm since I would only be able to do one wall?  Is rain collection more cost effective than drilling a well?  My goal is really just to get off grid in a simple but comfortable home that is energy efficient.  As far as the technologies involved I am not set on any one or the other.  Thanks in advance for the tips!

Hi Mike,
I don't have any experience with earthships, but I would suggest maybe reposting with one focus at a time. Home design is a really broad topic. You may get more answers if you picked one question and asked it separately, and work your way through your questions. It can be overwhelming to see a post with tons of different questions on different disciplines.

Just came across your questions...

Agree that a whole bunch of questions at one time is a tad bit confusing, but i would like to share my experiences in  trying to build an earth sheltered "Hobbit Home".

First off, get yourself a copy of the "Complete book of underground homes" i believe it is written by Rob Roy.  He has built several earth sheltered / bermed houses...
In there, he explains the necessity of under slab and underfooting insulation - so much so, that it took me 18 different architects- yes, 18 of them - to find someone willing to insulate the footings of my home.  While the building inspector was telling me the whole time - yes, you can do it !!  After 20 years of planning and research, don't just go with " i have 20 years experience - listen to me" instead, i lean toward - " does this make sense, and do i really want to omit a measly 2,000$ worth of foam in a building step that CANNOT EVER be redone - i.e. footings of a house, for no reason other than "you don't need to?"

I have posted a few videos, trying to explain why i am doing what i am doing - and the reasons for it on my Facebook page " Daves Hobbit Home Build" or you can google " undergroundandlovinit".

Hope this helps.

Mike, exciting and scary project! I would suggest if you require south facing windows, but have hot summers, try and design in as much overhang as possible to shade the direct sun from the interior. That will hopefully avoid some greenhouse effects in the house.

Mike, as I understand your questions I agree with Matt:

Matt said, "It can be overwhelming to see a post with tons of different questions on different disciplines.

I feel that the Passive Solar Forum might be a good place for some of your questions. Especially about the earth tubes.

https://permies.com/f/82/passive-solar

I would also suggest this book might be of interest:

https://permies.com/wiki/50585/Passive-Annual-Heat-Storage-John