I've got a crazy idea for a comic running around in my head, but I'm having a real problem visualizing the setting. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The premise:

A group of people have built a compound in a remote Rocky Mountain Valley. (The story thread is secret research, but this is not far future... it is set in the here and now.) Right now there are about 20 people there, but eventually about 100 are expected. I need to provide these people with rooms, a common area, a gym, etc as well as work areas.

In the Rockies, the winters are pretty hard. Lots of snow in the winter. The people are going to be cut off from the outside world.

Is all of this in one huge building? Several inter-connected buildings? High-rise? Single story-speard-out?

I think a lot of windows is a must to prevent prison-itis from setting in.

What would this facility look like?

A small dome over a hole in the mountain?

In the present day, a secret facility would be difficult due to google maps etc. Supplies and such would draw attention. Planes/helocopters would be noticed.  Build a small hotel/hunting lodge in the open, and advertise it, but never have vacancies.  That would allow supplies, a road etc without too much comment.

Bill

If you concerned about the elements, lots of glass would not be energy efficient.  Structures should be either 1 or 2 levels at best; less exposure to weather the better.  Multiple buildings with underground connections and transport.  Hydroponic can be situated below ground unless you are in an earthquake zone.  Definitely, any siesmic active area would require lower buildings to minimize damage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timberline_Lodge

A New-Age cult called "Church Universal and Triumphant" built exactly such a place in Montana back in the '80s.  It was big and extremely well-armed.  If you google that name, or their leader Elizabeth Clare Prophet, you'll find some pix and videos.

If 5 member families is the expected average, you'd need a 2 story apartment with 10 rooms a floor and a few other buildings like a store, community center, admin, etc.

Many thanks to all who responded! Good food for thought! I appreciate it.

Secret research, rooms, common area, work area,  gym :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piz_Gloria

... and lots of snow too !

Attached Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luc_Orient

In the Luc Orient comics there is a secret research lab called "Eurocristal".

Quote - I've got a crazy idea for a comic running around in my head, but I'm having a real problem visualizing the setting. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The premise:

A group of people have built a compound in a remote Rocky Mountain Valley. (The story thread is secret research, but this is not far future... it is set in the here and now.) Right now there are about 20 people there, but eventually about 100 are expected. I need to provide these people with rooms, a common area, a gym, etc as well as work areas.

Think 'hide in plain sight'. Unless you find a series of -stable- mineshafts to put everything into, tunneling would be blatant. Moving into a pre-existing facility would not be secretive, either. Probably the best camoflage would be to build with log. The exterior 'facility' could be disguised as one of a million exclusive subdivisions. There are more than enough natural caverns in the area that it would be possible to have the secret stuff done there. Keep the power feed to the community aboveboard, and the power to the secret stuff separate (internal if you can manage it), and anyone outside looking in would have no clue there.  

Quote - In the Rockies, the winters are pretty hard. Lots of snow in the winter. The people are going to be cut off from the outside world. Is all of this in one huge building? Several inter-connected buildings? High-rise? Single story-speard-out?

I think a lot of windows is a must to prevent prison-itis from setting in.

What would this facility look like?

Log construction doesn't follow insulation's R value. It deals in thermal mass. A 12" thick log wall would stand up to the worst of the winters the Rockies (hell, the Arctic) could throw at it. It would also provide protection from any and all small arms fire. Yes, you would want big windows on the show fronts (gotta stay with styles), but your big windowed sections would be 'wrap arounds'... ie the bulk of the house is the 12" log, with the cathedral ceilinged 'living room' and sexy fireplace being -added- to the structure. You could disguise security doors to resemble standard doors, and if anyone made a rush at the exposed glass, your occupants duck into the 'main' part of the house and slam the steel shutters (and if you wanted to be a real bastard about it, have the logs drilled out about 3" in and load the hole with rebar. A chainsaw hits =that= at speed and it kicks it back right into the operators face). Sure you could use explosives to get in, but it would -take- explosives.

As the surface would come off looking like a ritzy community, the houses could be large enough to hold up to 10 couples comfortably. Or you could spread it out and have big family units and Grizzly Addams loners size units.

After that, all you would need is a centralized 'community center' for access to the secret stuff, and as the surface hub for security. Lots of ways to secure the perimeter without betraying the perimeter.  

Underground dug into the side of the mountain. This would let you have all the space you need and provide being secret. Chyenne Mountain.

remamber James Bond 65

My sincere thanks to all who responded. I'm finalizing my plans as I write this! Some great ideas! Thanks!

And,
and I have been looking and looking, and looking.

I visited a village in the side of a mountain in the USA, but a zillion years ago.
And I can absolutely not remember or find it again.

But is was a LARGE cave in the side of a mountain, with a complete village in it.

Somewhere middle south? Arizona or Idaho- USA Mexico part? ?

Pretty sure it was a National park or some other protected area.

Must have been Native Americans, or Mexican/Native/Americans.

And another one
http://www.unbelievableinfo.com/2013/11/kandovam.html

Good luck