If the seashell house isn't quite your style, consider the easy-to-build, low-impact style of a Hobbit dwelling. A couple recently built their own in Wales, and the architect even includes plans on his web site.
Editorial note: Whoa! You've found a super-old post here on BuzzFeed, from an earlier era of the site. It doesn't really represent where we are anymore, and may in fact be totally broken, but we're leaving it up as a part of our early history.