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I'd build a passive solar home with concrete block mass walls inside, south facing windows to the front, the back into a hill on the north, concrete floors, walkway/hall through the south side just inside of the windows, and wood stove right in the middle of the house.
I'd use concrete block for the exterior too, but since you want timber, that is fine. It will have a greater fire hazard though and won't store any heat. However the interior mass walls and floor are most important for storing the heat.
I'd definitely have a standing seam metal roof, that way you can use the water, and be totally independent with water, depending on the climate. An underground concrete cistern would be a big plus.
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