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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> For a rectangular shed-structure I would make the roof of ferroconcrete 
> channels, well tied to the wall bond-beam and and the channels bolted 
> together, with their lips covered with a through-bolted metal or 
> ferroconcrete cap.

I roofed my greenhouse/summer kitchen addition shed roof by laying down 
heavy roofing paper well lapped over plywood, then heavily stapled down 
three layers of poultry mesh, then smooshed in a coat of mortar, then 
troweled a finish coat. (I will try a broom finish on a future experiment.) 
I expect the roof to last without maintenance until somebody tears the 
structure down to build whatever it is they will build a hundred years from 
now. For great beauty at mostly time and labor cost, you can make such a 
roof pretty. I built a clever form and over the aforementioned made a few 
courses of what from twenty feet look like slate tiles. After the mortar 
was shaped I erratically sprinkled on a small amount of concrete colorant, 
black and a bit of red, then worked that with the trowel. Very pretty, but 
it's slow work and a course must dry overnight before the next course is made.

>  (no damned basement)

I've been letting this slide for too long. Stairs are dangerous at all ages 
and if joint problems exist or arise with age, will be avoided. BUT, to 
make blanket edicts against two-stories and/or basements is to ignore great 
opportunity. I refer to the earth-sheltered house built into the side of a 
hill with a walk-out basement, which, I submit, is a superior design for a 
house.

Pull back the upper level--push it into the hill--and you have a front 
deck. Cover the deck and you have a porch. Enclose it with glass and you 
have a greenhouse. The walk-out end of the basement level should face south 
and incorporate passive solar design. That is where I would put the 
greenhouse. Build kitchen and bath on each level and if physical conditions 
require, choose the level you prefer and rent out the other for old-age 
income.

Such construction is highly energy efficient and much of the house is 
inherently fireproof. It negates the safety concern about fire trapping 
occupants because each level has two exits. Fire goes up, so in case of 
fire, one could slide down the stairs if necessary and crawl through the 
concrete basement and out. A concrete ceiling above the basement would make 
the lower level about as safe as a building can be. And it's cool in summer 
and warm in winter.