I have also been trying to find information on building techniques in hot humid climates, as I am located in southeast Tennessee. I am no resource on the subject, but I have put a lot of research into different techniques. You may look into Rammed Earth or SIRE wall (Stabilized Insulated Rammed Earth), the latter one not looking so easy to do by yourself. This seems a very labor intensive process though, maybe even more so than cob. It seems to be used in many different climate zones, even in South Carolina. The Stateburg Church of the Holy Cross was built in 1852 in Stateburg, South Carolina near Sumter. Also the Borough House Plantation is a home built across from the church, constructed of rammed earth in 1820. I don't know how autonomous it would be as far as heating and cooling, but it's worth looking into. Good luck!
