Welcome to our home.
Given no perfect ecological options, we use guiding principles as we make each design or material decision.
And build in ways that are possible for us to learn and do with the help of friends.
Major principles and some examples of the decisions are:

Sunlight is our major energy source. Passive solar heat from south facing windows, photovoltaic electricity collected in cleared common space and wired to houses, natural light throughout, & a glycol solar water heating system on the roof with a storage tank in the loft. Our wooded site between hills makes solar collection challenging.
Tight and well insulated is energy efficient. 6” walls, deep blown-in insulation in ceiling, high R-value glass in all but the south windows, double pane patio door glass on south, insulating shades, airlock entry, plumbing and wiring run on walls, not behind them, cross ventilation for air flow, including site built vents on the south side.
Energy efficient appliances. Small water pump, instant hot water heater as a back up to rooftop solar heater, efficient light bulbs & fans, lap top computers, power strips disconnect all appliances when not in use. Average electricity use: 17 KWH/month.
Site based heat. Passive solar heat is backed up on cloudy days by small, efficient wood stove fueled by fallen trees.
Go as small as possible while matching use and family size. Open & adaptable floor plan, alternating tread staircase, work to keep our stuff to basics so we don’t need closets, storage space for tools and supplies under house. Lessen resources needed: materials, energy, labor needed to build and upkeep, and financial cost.
Natural materials minimize damaging impact. Kitchen & bath tiles, wood, cotton fabrics, jute & cotton floor coverings, dry wall. We avoid petroleum-based plastics that pollute in manufacture and disposal. (Our treated wood foundation, covered below grade to prevent leaching, was the best choice we could find that met building codes.)

Local materials and sources minimize energy used in transport. Cisterns made by a neighbor, exterior poplar & cedar from local sawmills; poplar trim from local business (IN wood), scavenged and reused materials.

Use only rainwater caught on site. Cistern water, composting toilet, shower turns off between rinses, catchment pond, planting & mulching food sources to minimize run off.
Shared appliances and few extras. One community owned refrigerator & freezer in the common building; our house has a well-insulated cooler. Do what we can by hand.
Low cost. Self built with assistance of friends and pros as needed, site built stationary windows and vents, closeouts, reused stuff, use our own scraps. Total cost: $35,000.
Permaculture approach. More than one use for everything. Food and beauty in landscaping in wooded ecological niche: native pond plants & minnows, compost & worm bins, herbs, berries, fruit trees, bat & birdhouses & feeders. Chicken house for egg layers fed kitchen scraps and plants grown on site.

Coming this growing season

Cold frame/grow bed under large south windows for starting seeds, summer growing and warmer air on vents in winter. Wagon for moving chickens to garden beds.