Chum and Bones

Here's the Siberian Roundhouse with plans as found at the Earthbagplans blog. Here's the description from their page:

Specifications: 16' interior diameter with a 201 sq.ft. interior, sleeping loft, half bath.

Footprint: 19' x 19'

Here's a compact design ideal for cold climates. The basic concept comes from the Siberian Chum (tent). There are two chum roofs or conical shaped roofs made of poles with insulation between. Virtually all materials are made from small diameter wood poles, which are often abundant in northern forests - roof poles, bond beam, lintels, loft joists, wood shakes and woodchip insulation. Tilt - down stairs lead to a sleeping loft. Only a very small wood stove is needed for heating. It would be quite easy to build debt - free by gradually adding extra roundhouses as time and resources allow. A small cluster of these roundhouses would be real cozy.

This is a pretty straightforward layout. 201 sq.ft. definitely pushes the need for minimalism. I also like the chum roof idea as being in the North American equivalent of Siberia; it does get pretty fracking cold. Though I would feel more comfortable spending a little extra money ensuring the roof is completed using commercial grade materials. I like that it is an easy layout and that others can be readily made; with relatively little money and a butt load of manual labor.