Reply #6: you can't really build here without a permit, and you need a stamp for that.

[mopinko]

back in the day, city hall didn't like to hassle people for taking care of the housing stock. now they are nicer to homeowners walking a plan through the process, but they still gotta see that stamp. and they will shut you down. besides, i am active in my local party, and the neighborhood nut bloggers would be all over me if i tried to skirt the rules.
i know most of the real energy decisions are made when you are buying your materials. and most of the passive solar parts of the design are pretty simple math. so, i will be fine, i am sure.
i was just really looking for something completely different, and something with bold style. imho, you don't get that from a draftsman. a good architect would have been worth the money. and maybe this guy used to be. but he isn't any more. he needs to retire.