. You're essentially looking at making a thermal mass that simply swamps out the level of "losses" to the outside world. Thermally 100% correct I'd say . . if it's truly big enough, and can exchange it's heat with the surroundings efficiently enough. No matter HOW efficient the place could be; there will be losses . . . and at a time of year when you want them the least . . winter . . when they are also least available to replace. I'd say s'can the flat roof . . . put enough pitch on it to shed rain . . and . . perhaps more importantly; snow . . like metal roof. The weight can get incredible. Insulate the space between inside roof and the "attic" . . . will help cool in the summer, and avoid icicles in the winter. You are barking up the right tree with regards to surface area vs volume; but I believe that bees have it right: Believe that a hexagon, or septagon, or whatever they have; actually gives the most volume per lineal outside material. May not lend itself to livable space terribly well . . although bees seem to do fine with it . . Running tubing throughout the concrete mass I think would be a good idea . . . just don't pour all at once lest ye collapse forms as the weight / pressures can get quite high as the mass gets larger. Pressurize the tubing during the pour !! lest ye collapse it. As far as pumps / controls etc for circulating fluid; why not use passive thermo-syphon ? ? Only ONE moving part . . . a check valve. No motors / pumps / controls / sensors etc. Heat during the winter; and oodles of heated water during the summer months. Follow the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Stupid . . less crap to go wrong . . . easy to protect against freezing etc . . . Circulate well water through the mass in the summer . . get free cooling ( and likely some condensation ) while pre-heating your domestic hot water. Perhaps some cavities / "tunnels" through the mass . . which could have air blown through them to help exchange along better by virtue of more surface area ? ? ? Make the mass be part of the "architectural" design . . not just put there to serve the main purpose. Incorporate masonry stove etc into it . . as PART of the living space . . . shelving . . cubbyholes . . a small sitting area . . "couch" . . all as part of it ? ? While thinking of cheap AND efficient . . ever look into straw bale construction ? ? ? I've read some about it . . and it is certainly cheap . . and if PROPERLY done ( to exclude water infiltration ) will last a VERY long time. Low tech, cheap, works well. How's 'bout earth-bermed or "underground" construction . . . a few feet down and the temperature doesn't vary nearly so much . . . a much more constant "outside" temperature to your structure ? ? ? Don't forget that building very tight . . . . also means lack of fresh air . . . you'd have to have ERV or such to get that . . . and there are some losses with it. An interesting idea . . . curious what others may say . . and what you end up doing with it . . . . Bob

At Target recently I bought white plastic 'reOrganizables' (house brand) medium size bins with holes in sides that have a gray piece in handle that allows optional stacking. Not expensive $3.59 and very washable. I would guess one would hold 5 lbs or more of spuds. By stacking them, I hope to avoid the "nasty one on the bottom" syndrome. I also brought home for evaluation a black bin with sides made of plastic circles (air spaces between them) which was even cheaper at $2.50. Also comes in white. This would serve the purpose well--it's taller than the other style but has same footprint. But until my pantry is done, my spuds are in a long, thin handleless garage sale willow basket that disappears when set on my new mottled countertop. I rather like it and it's very convenient.

I had a few extra inches planned between my refrigerator and framed entranceway so that the refrigerator door could open fully. A panel was supposed to cover it. I never would have been able to do something really useful with the few inches as I didn't need a pull-out that big right next to my doorway. After the sheetrock was put up, we discovered a few more inches! I remembered that someone on this forum had a cabinet mounted sideways next to the refrigerator so that it opened out. I kind of used that idea but the cabinet opening is on the other side of the doorway. So now I've got a recessed custom built-in cabinet in my tiny mudroom. The cabinet depth is the door frame and "kitchen filler space". The filler space is covered by a small panel and I think of it as my reclaimed/found space! jayne

homepro and mindstorm, As a rule the Euro manuf. will not sell you accessories if you just walk off the street and ask. 1st , part of what they sell is a look and/or system. There is a lot of time and $$$ invested in creating the look and the products. It's part of what makes you what that widget in the first place. If they just sold everyone the cool dodads, they would quickly erode their brand and have no money to dream up the next cool dodad for you to drool over. 2nd, it's a royal pain in the %^*$)( to order a spice tray, or trash can or whatever. The margins for the dealer here on those items are basically nil and the order goes thru 2 countries to be processed. That said dealers can do as they please, so you may find a place that has Bulthaup, or Poliform, or SieMatic that is willing to sell you a single widget or 10 knobs or handles. Corerate owned stores or Studios of which there are a lot will politely tell you to buzz off. (unwritten rule). In addition, all these cabinets are metric. So the stuff sized for metric drawers is not going to fit most cabinets in the USA anyway.it's usually narrower and shallower than the equiv. USA size. Also keep in mind that many of these companies have their stuff made on contract only for them. So say for instance BLUM may make the drawer and slides for Poliform and Poggenpohl - but a Poliform drawer knife insert will not fit in a Poggenpohl drawer. This is very common. The accessories made by BLUM will fit their drawers and others too, they are less fitted. Bulthaup drawers are made by Grass and are pretty standard except for color, Alno's are made by Hettich I believe and are standard, SieMatic's come from Hettich also but are exclusive to them. Poggenpohl and Poliform both have Blum with minor variants.