I've seen somewhere on the net about people using shipping containers. They are built to be stacked, but the tops can't take much weight. Once the "ceiling" is reinforced, they are pretty big. I can't remember the website, but there is a site with "house plans" for these things.

Yes! These apparently have a big following in Alaska. Folks have stacked cargo containers and turned them into homes. Cheap(er) living.

A little time spent on Google uncovered a somewhat more upscale version:

http://www.architectureandhygiene.com/quikHouse/quikHouse_main.html

I saw a show on the history channel about the old west. The trappers would cache a lot of their supplies and furs. The basic idea was to dig a hole fill it with stuff you wanted later and then cover it (but don't forget where it was). They would come out of the mountains open the cache, take what they needed, possibly store some furs, and then relocate it.

Regarding a hidey hole. I was a big Hogan's Heroes fan, so I've always dreamed of an underground hidey hole under my house. The general idea would be an entryway via the basement that was adequately concealed. My idea would be not to evacuate, but rather "appear" to vacate my home and actually be living underneath it. I also like the challenge of attempting to build it without letting the neighbors know what is going on. Unless there is a cave-in, and they find my corpse. I could become a monologue joke on Letterman.

After spending 9 months living in a shipping container in Baghdad, I am not interested in doing that again.

I can't blame you. I'd have to throw some siding on it, cut for lots of windows, put in sheetrock, well geez... by the time it's all said and done, that money could be spent towards a real home. Or maybe an Airstream trailer. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

A friend of mine had a friend some years ago that decided to build a basement under his existing house in southern CA. Tim went down to see what had been accomplished, which was a lot: the hole took up almost the same footprint as the house.

Then Tim started sweating. "Uh, Ernie, where's the support for the house?"

"Support?"

Countrymouse, have you ever seen the 60s movie The Great Escape? Try it, you'll like it. (This from a woman who has only seen 2 good war movies in her life...)

Sue

I've seen it - a great movie.

My backyard is the same size footprint as my house. I've thought about going in the basement and just digging straight back and at a slightly downward angle.

Digging a pit in the backyard would be quicker and more efficient, but I wouldn't want to draw all the extra attention. Plus, I don't know if city building inspectors would approve of a hidey-hole on my property.

Did you see "Blast from the Past"? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I don't have one, but was thinking about your post today as I was getting a tour of a local sewage pump station (don't ask!). It is a small (maybe 8 x 10 foot) concrete building with a very secure metal door, but no windows. It has a big sign identifying it as a sewage pump station. Once inside, it went down three stories, and was huge inside.

So, that might be more than you are interested in, but what about a septic tank? Have one (or another one) installed, but don't attach it to the plumbing. I doubt that anyone would want to go inside the clearly labeled septic tank maintenance hatch, and you could store lots of stuff underground, in a cool, temperature controlled, dark environment.

Strap on a biohazard sign and put on there that containment suits are needed to enter (authorized personnel only - 60 min. max exposure time - hazard suit required) and you'll keep everyone out I bet. And fire fighters would still go in if necessary. Not sure how legal that is.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Foot thick steel reinforced concrete walls, roof and floor, no windows and solid steel door with frame embedded in the concrete with multiple industrial locks will help (Ving or Medeco high security....)