Block walls for strentch and thermal mass?

[Miggy]

Hi everybody! My fiance and I are going over our various building options and I'm wondering what would be the easiest-to-maintain/safest route to take our plumbing/electrical lines if we build on a slab with block outer walls?

I remember reading (I think on here) about a guy living out of his parents' house while building in (I think) upstate NY and another about a couple in Johnson Co TN. I can't find their threads anymore though.

[speedfunk]

Here is a few including ours.  Each a bit unique.

http://thehomesteadingboards.com/2014/05/top-5-diy-earth-sheltered-homes/